Queen Galadriel
· 24 March 2006
· Chapter 22: Memories of Honor
*giggling* Oh dear me, I've done it now with my oddities! :) I don't live in England but in North Carolina. I just use the British spelling because I like it, and if my writing style itself looks a bit English sometimes, why, it's because I read so much English literature and it just rubs off...and I can't say I mind. Sorry about the confusion there. :)
So, you meant the shells to symbolize Frodo's nature. I thought maybe you did, and I can't believe it took me that long for that to sink in.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
North Carolina? Oh, other side of the country from me, here in the Pacific Northwest in the folds of the Olympic Mountains. I, too, read a lot of British literature, but stick to U.S. spellings and usages for the most part, as this tends to be demanded of us teachers.
Glad that you appreciate the symbology of the shells.
And I have to laugh that again I judged someone to live in Britain when they actually live here. You aren't the first, you see....
Queen Galadriel
· 24 March 2006
· Chapter 22: Memories of Honor
Doing several chapters in one review here. I don't think I've ever told you that I like the way you portray Freddie; still who he was before, but marked now by dark experience.
The little interlude with the Sindarin lullaby was beautiful. To think of little Elanor speaking Sindarin so fluently, having learned some of it from her Uncle Frodo, is touching and a bit extraordinary, but somehow fitting and not altogether surprising.
Goodness! Ruvemir is as bad as I am, getting caught up in the tale and staying up all night! I've done that plenty of times, especially with LOTR. :) And I like the moments shared between Ruvemir and the hobbits, especially Sam and Rose. When will the wedding bells begin to toll, I wonder? :)
Ah, at last the circlet is in its proper place! Excellent!
I'm not sure if this will make any sense, but it struck me, reading about the beautiful shells again, that maybe they have a deeper meaning. In a way, Frodo is like the shells: beautiful to look on, and bringing joy to those who loved and cared about him, just as the shells brought joy by their beauty. But at the last the gentle, beautiful light that made the outer beauty alive was too otherworldly to be contained in mere mortality; and slowly the mortal was refined away, until the time came for the bright spirit to return to the Presence, just as, in the shell, the water worm slowly takes on a new form and at last emerges, a delicate winged creature, to fly free. And when it is gone, the shell remains, still beautiful, just as a part of Frodo remained, still beautiful, still inspiring love. I'm not good at expressing such thoughts, and maybe not the best comparison in the world, but I couldn't help but be struck by it just now.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
You'll find I don't mind several chapters at once. Am so glad you appreciate Freddy as I write him. He was too frightened of the unknown to leave the Shire before; but he still managed to find his courage and do his best to serve the Shire as he could, and like the other four paid the price for heroism, which he also doesn't quite believe is true of himself.
I've always seen Sam as far smarter than Tolkien portrayed him, but never quite accepting just how smart he was until after Frodo left the Shire. I doubt Frodo could ignore that fact, and suspect in part he hoped that once he was gone and was not there to eclipse those around him the rest of the Shire would recognize that truth and would honor Sam as he deserved, which in time they do as he is the next Mayor. I suspect that once Frodo was gone it was Sam who would seek to keep his memory alive in Elanor by murmuring to her in Sindarin, and that he'd go out of his way to learn to pronounce it properly so as to do so; and that many would be shocked to find the rustic value of his Westron wasn't true when he spoke "Elvish."
Anyone with any imagination reading LOTR tends to find themselves staying up till all hours, unable to put it down--I know it was true with me when I first read it, and happens still now. I just wrote the reality of that fact into the story, putting Ruvemir into our place. I think Ruvemir would come to appreciate Sam and Rosie a very good deal, particularly as he breaks down Sam's reserve. (I tend to see Ruvemir as a healer of hearts, in case you didn't realize it.)
The Circlet is now officially recognized and properly honored, as Sam is finally coming to be honored properly as well.
As for the caddis fly larvae--I don't know if you have such creatures in England, but they are fairly common across the United States, so I decided one more American import into Middle Earth along with beans and potatoes and tomatos ought to be acceptable in my stories, and so I wrote them into "For Eyes to See as Can," seeking to use them as symbols of precisely what you've expressed here. I myself have given caddis fly larvae small beads in a jar, and have been fascinated in seeing how in a slow-moving stream with reeds they'll cut pieces of reed and grass stems to make their shells of, while those in sandy streams will use the grains of sand and so on. They are fascinating creatures to study. But it's the nature of any larvae eventually to enter crysalis form and then split out of the crysalis to become a flying insect; when they are ready to do that, caddis fly larvae finally must leave their shells, creep up stems of plants out of the water which has protected them to date, attach themselves to the stem and form the crysalis, then split out of them to become adult caddis flies, an insect with particularly delicate looking wings. Obviously I've obtained my object in using them as symbols of Frodo's nature for you to write this.
Queen Galadriel
· 22 March 2006
· Chapter 19: Defining the Image
In minutes Ririon and Ferdibrand were headed outside together, each with his walking stick, where the Hobbit proposed to show the boy some of the
tricks he’d taught himself to use his stick to check out the ground over which he walked and find his way.
Ah, excellent! I hoped (and very strongly suspected :)) that the walking stick would prove useful. I'm using something similar in an original story, only my poor girl has had one from her grandfather and it's narled and crooked, so not exactly ideal for traversing the crowded streets of New York city in the nineteenth century.
Love the bottle of Old Winyards! LOL! That is hilarious! And the firework and crackers were just splendid. As I read the bit about Gandalf having such foresight I imagined the old wizard in some hidden room, making those fireworks and crackers and thinking how they'd be used years later. Say, that would make a good double drabble or something. Not that I'm trying to set a bunny loose or anything...:)
And the talk with Pippin's sisters was wonderfully done. I can identify with Pimpernel's (or was it Pervinca?--I'm constantly confusing those two!) anger over Frodo's being deprived of that which he wanted most. This life can seem so very unfair, and it's terribly frustrating or even heartbreaking at times.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
If you've read "A Message and a Bottle" then you've seen the end of the legacy of that bottle of Old Winyards. That was a story that worked on me for months before I wrote it, and then I had to tear it apart and rewrite it to get it right.
Gandalf may not at the time known why he must create those special crackers and that firework, or why they should be stored away instead of used at the Old Tooks last party; but I do believe that he understood what purpose they would serve. Gandalf, after all, loved the Tooks especially, and had a lot invested in this particular one.
Yes, life can be very heartbreaking as we grow older, and life has never been fair. That Pippin's sisters would wish he might have known what he wanted most I think would be natural. However, God is great enough to deal with our anger.
As for the walking sticks, of course they'd end up being put to practical use! And Ririon is getting more and more outfitted to look somewhat like a wizard now, don't you think, with his brimmed hat and his staff?
Queen Galadriel
· 22 March 2006
· Chapter 18: Memories of Dinners and Captains
“Yes, he always wished to be of service. He got his wish at last, and was
willing to die to fulfill it. I so pray he is finding healing for his spirit in Elvenhome.”
Oh, that sounds so sad! That will bring one up short. I've been "angsted out," and when I get to a certain point of that I get such giggles that I have to almost isolate myself for a little while so as not to appear entirely undignified--and of course the bath thing in the last chapter just got me going. But that thought is very sobering, especially spoken by Pippin.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, now and then we do angst ourselves out, don't we.
Pippin is the most lighthearted in appearance of the four, and yet he is also far deeper than he seems. Many of the great comedians and comics knew a great deal of grief, and used their grief to help add depth to their humor. I think Pippin is just letting some of that depth being shown here.
And the desire to see Frodo find joy and healing must be so strong for all of them.
Queen Galadriel
· 22 March 2006
· Chapter 17: To the Great Smial
Wizardry, huh? Now that I'd love to see! And this is hysterical:
Soon they heard a vigorous splashing and gay singing
from behind the curtains, and at one point water spilled from it to the shallow trough down the center of the room. “Water hot is a noble thing!” they
heard, and at that point another gout of water ran across the floor.
Ririon laughed. “Is he splashing the water out of his tub?” he asked from the next bay.
Watching the next wave with some concern, Ruvemir answered, “Apparently he is intent on emptying the tub before he gets out of it and has to turn
it on its side."
LOL! I remember reading about the bath incident at Crickhollow for the first time; it was late at night and it just struck me as so funny that I couldn't get my laughter under control. Just what is it with Pippin and attempting to empty a tub before he's done? LOL!
"The great waistcoat war?" LOL! That is great! Loved this whole chapter, and it's so wonderful to see Paladin being so kind and supportive towards Pippin.
Oh, BTW, saw Linda Hoyland's review on your latest in Moments in Time, and I am so sorry! Good grief, is there a limit to how many silly mistakes one person can make in the space of a few weeks? Between constantly misspelling something, overlooking typoes until after others have seen whatever it is I've written, just doing stupid or clumsy things in general, and now this I wonder my face hasn't permanently turned red! :)
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Have you read SlightlyTookish's latest story in her "Post Cards from the Shire" in which Bilbo is giving little Pippin a bath and teaching him a certain song? It's hilarious. The idea of Pippin and his "fountain leaping on high" has stuck with a number of us, you'll find. I just had to do a repeat of that scene here, only partly imagined as it's taking place behind a curtain.
Considering how many typos and other errors I've been guilty of, I can't complain about anyone else. I go over and over and over things, and STILL find extra quotation marks or something similar. Don't worry about it. I'll be 56 soon enough--just not for another three weeks.
And I think that an argument between Frodo and Bilbo would have been interesting to watch as we have two stubborn Bagginses with too much Took in them seeking to wear one another down. It would have been hilarious, I think.
Queen Galadriel
· 20 March 2006
· Chapter 16: The Bathing Room
Merry rinsed his hair, got out and wrapped a towel around himself, came over to Sam’s tub and said, “I’ll wash your back, Sam.” Ruvemir realized
suddenly that Sam was weeping, as he turned and buried his face in Merry’s shoulder. The artist could see a wide scar high on Merry’s face, up under the
hair that ordinarily fell over his forehead, a bit more dramatic than that on Sam’s.
Then he heard Sam’s muffled voice, “He deserved every bit of honor he got and then some, every bit. And he never believed it.” And Merry rubbed
his friend’s back. Pippin quickly finished cleansing himself, and wrapping himself as had his cousin, got out and came to the other side of Sam’s tub,
and wrapped his arms around him as well. Finally Ruvemir found himself doing the same, found himself embracing the damp gardener, too, breathing in the
odors of steaming water, soap made with lavender oil, clean skin. Finally Sam straightened, and the three of them pulled away. Ruvemir looked up to see
the saddened brown eyes now examining him. They were eyes that had seen too much, and he realized that the Ring had cost him almost as much as it had
Frodo.
Oh, what a sweet and precious moment for all of them, and that Ruvemir was included will, likely, help him in knowing these four better and thus give him more to put into the memorial. This is one of the best chapters so far.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I am honored you appreciate it, my Lady. Ruvemir is not only accepting them, but coming to be accepted by them, and is able to bring the caring the people of Gondor hold for the four of them here to their own homes. They need this reminder, I think.
Queen Galadriel
· 20 March 2006
· Chapter 15: Letters to the King
Very interesting letters. I like Ruvemir's descriptions of the multi-facited Frodo Baggins, and Paliden's thanks to Aragorn and the recognition of just what Pippin has grown to become is very satisfying indeed, especially after The Acceptable Sacrifice. But this was my favourite:
I see now why Gimli stated one cannot picture Frodo without Sam--as different
as they are to outward seeming, they appear to have been two halves of the same whole,
and although he is very happy with his wife and children and home, there is a great
empty place in the soul of Samwise Gamgee that will not be filled until he can be
reunited with his other half and share the delight he has known through all of these with
him. And I suspect that as fulfilled as he may be by the beauty of Elvenhome that Frodo
may be experiencing, he, too, holds an empty spot which will remain until Samwise
brings his experiences to fill it. Sam will live his life as fully as possible only to offer it,
once it is complete, to the Master who cannot, through the offices of the Ring, experience
such fulfillment for himself.
Author's reply
So glad you appreciate it, my Lady. Frodo must have waited for Sam's coming with growing anticipation over the years, much as Sam must have felt a good deal of anticipation on his own part.
Frodo could introduce Sam to the glories of the Lonely Island, while Sam could share all that Frodo sacrificed and had stolen from him by the Ring.
But the most wonderful people are marvelously complicated, and I'm certain Frodo was such an individual.
Queen Galadriel
· 20 March 2006
· Chapter 14: Love Lost
Mistress Esmeralda bristled. “As gentle and accomplished as you are--there is anyone who would give you such offense? That is a great offense in itself!"
Esmeralda is right--it's perfectly maddening to think of dear, gentle Miriel being treated so! I just can't get over what value so many seem to place on looks, and the unfairness of it, to me, is painful to think of.
And RUVEMIR (*not* Ruvimir--the benefits of a Braille display) is obviously very much in love with his charming bride-to-be. *grin*
I'm back sooner than I thought to be, so I'm trying to catch up on the three out of the seven or eight chapters I got to read before that contrary machine of mine locked up and began showing signs of being haunted. I'm serious, the thing is turning on and off without the switch being touched; it is so freaky. And yes, I know I put my comments far ahead of where they belonged, but I'd marked the place and was in a great hurry.
Author's reply
Appearance can be so very important for initial responses, and it's so frustrating when impressions based on appearance supersede actual knowledge of the person. Some physically attractive individuals are shallow as a puddle on concrete, while some with great character appear nondescript at first glance.
Know about fickle machines--my desktop is still being worked on, and is driving me crazy. The server doesn't have all the information I've saved on my extra hard drives on it, and doesn't handle my games well.
Ah, dear, such is life.
Queen Galadriel
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 13: Knights in Arms and a Tale of Leaving
I think I'm losing my sanity, or maybe my ability to keep up with crazy circumstances. I knew I'd forget something.
I really love Rosie's loving indignation at Sam, and it was funny to see how much worth Sam puts on a certain silver circlet by letting his son teethe on it! LOL! There was something else, too, and now I can't remember it!
Oh, and as to being short, I've seen that, too. I have a friend who, having been born very prematurely, is very short for her age. We went to school together, and there were always between seven and nine of what one of the group clowns calls "VIP" (Visually impaired personell--LOL I love it!) and when we get together the guys always tease her about being short. They don't mean it badly, but on one occasion she'd had enough, got on her *knees* to talk over the back of a bus seat, and told them just what she thought. :) I try to get them to lay off, but of course they don't listen.
Well, I'm going to *attempt* to read more while I'm away, but my Pac Mate seems to have a mind of its own and be very much inclined to do the opposite of what I try to get it to do lately.
Thank you for your prayers--they're very much appreciated now.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
I see you are reading ahead of where you've put your comments.
I can easily see Sam allowing his children teethe on his mithril circlet, myself. And of course, once she knew what it was and its significance Rosie would object. We have the two most wonderful of Hobbits the Shire ever produced both preferring to think their current status in the world at large is largely meaningless, and others who are just amazed at them!
I was very youthful looking until I lost my foster son back to his natural mother; then throughout the years other things have happened to the point I now basically look my almost fifty-six years (not quite a month at the moment till then). But throughtout so much of my life until then I was plagued by being treated as if I were a child, which gets very old particularly when one is an adult.
I will continue to pray for your family.
Queen Galadriel
· 18 March 2006
· Chapter 13: Knights in Arms and a Tale of Leaving
I think I've read too far without reviewing; I'm going to end up forgetting half of what I wanted to mention.
I really like the look at Frodo's earlier years through the eyes of those who loved him so much. And the three remaining travellers' reaction to the drawing of Frodo laughing was very poignant.
Glad Ririon and (especially) Miriel are making friends too.
And Sam's tale of that last riding brought tears to my eyes. The little moment with Frodo was just heartbreaking.
We've had a death in the family, so I'm off to the funeral tomorrow morning and will be away a few days, but I'm going to attempt to save some of this and take it to read, and then review when I get back.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
To know this stranger can imagine Frodo laughing must have been deeply rewarding to all three of them. So much of the last year he was in physical and emotional pain--to remember he once laughed freely and hopefully was now returning to that state must have been reassuring.
Ruvemir is seeing how deeply Frodo impacted his own people, his own family.
Miriel is finding the world outside her father's estate isn't nearly as frightening as she'd expected; and Ririon is finding his skill accepted and rewarded. Both are finding the Shire is very accepting, far more so than the world of Men.
Sam must have seen several moments during that last riding that will stay in his heart forever; I found one which would remain in the hearts of all others as well.
I'll pray for your family. God bless all of you.
*gasp* What? Ririon was the...Oh my goodness! I'll never cease to be amazed by how you tie all this together, and now I'm *really* in awe of all the careful planning and rereading you had to do to write The Acceptable Sacrifice.
I love how quickly Aragorn gets to the heart of the matter, so:
“The worst he will face,” Aragorn commented, “will be the expectations by others that he is and will be helpless. I have seen such before,
and suspect that you two,” with a glance at Ruvemir and his sister, “have a full appreciation for how it is generally expressed..."
True enough, both of Ririon and, alas, of Ruvimir and Miriel--who probably get the worst of the two. I once had a girl tell me I was freaky because I was blind, and it struck me as so funny that it's still a standing joke with me and a blind friend. LOL! I don't know why--no one else thought it was funny, and my brother was boiling angry and tried to defend me, and I couldn't help laughing outright. I think, though, that it was because it was said without a thought and came from a child much younger than myself with obviously no manners, and at first it didn't even click that she was talking to me. But it would be quite different to be called freaky because you look different, and to see others receive such unfair or sometimes even cruel treatment just makes me so mad!
This Taurielen (I did look this time :)) sounds like an interesting person, and I'm going to have to try the listening to the eggs thing again. I did that once, and everyone actually ate them and said they were good, but they were runny. I had to choke them down and think about anything but what I was eating. But then, I'm the girl who can come within a hair's breadth of ruining a sandwich...LOL!
Author's reply
Yes, I DO tend to tie them together, don't I? As I said in the author's note in The Acceptable Sacrifice, often a hint here is expanded on there and so on. The tub of fruit was first mentioned in The Ties of Family, and the quilt with the pink squares from The Ties of Family gets a few laughs in Lesser Ring.
In the listening to eggs, I was relying on what my husband and my friend Cindy both told and demonstrated to me (as well as what we discussed in teaching adaptive living classes). Taurielen was deeply modeled on Cindy, who's a special education teacher and adaptive living teacher who lives in Chicago, blinded due to ROP, if I recall correctly.
I'm extraordinarily short, although I was always properly proportioned until time and chance slowed down my metabolism and I started gaining weight. You wouldn't believe the flak one can get just from being short. Believe me, between me, my friends, and my students, we have heard it all. And you will find I tend to put advocacy messages into many of my stories.
Queen Galadriel
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 7: The Houses of Healing
Oh, I wish I didn't have to stop! :( I want to keep reading, but I've got to stop and study for a test tomorrow, and pull together the last of a school project that I desperately wish was over.
Before I forget, in chapter 6 you've got Rumivir instead of Ruvimir here:
Then the storm hit, and at a crack of lightning and thunder seemingly right overhead the pony bolted, and once again Rumevir was thrown, landing
in a ditch of standing water left from the previous day’s rain.
I just loved Sam's letter! How like him--serious but with a touch of humour here and there. The imitation of Gollum was funny--he was always especially good at that, wasn't he? :)--and the "Your Sam" at the end was very expressive of brotherly love; though it makes one sad at the same time, because he spoke to Frodo in the same way.
I really appreciate the detail Aragorn (or Gimli?) gives in describing Frodo to Ruvimir. I've always loved physical description for some reason, and it just so happens that I like to sculpt and am going to attempt Frodo in probably a matter of days. I'll have to keep that chapter in mind and refer back to it--and maybe I'll get something at least vaguely resembling Frodo. :)
Oh my goodness, you've shown that you're good at cliff-hangers now! Poor Ruvimir--that sounds *so* painful, and then to be so ill on top of it. Glad Miriel could come--I love them both.
"...They need cups that don't fall over so easily."
LOL! Sorry, doesn't work that way, I'm afraid. Poor Ririon obviously has a lot to get used to still...but if he doesn't want that stuff to happen, he'd best learn to be more careful than anyone I've ever heard of--I broke one of my parents' best crystal wine glasses that way once. My mother was *not* pleased, and neither was I, after spending half an hour cleaning up the mess I'd made with my carelessness.
Can't wait to read more; I'm completely hooked!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Ruvemir has a way of working his way into your heart, I've found. A very decent fellow, I think.
Lower glasses with a wider bottom aren't as difficult, as I'm certain you know, as taller ones with a narrower diameter. But I certainly know what you mean about knocking over glasses of wine and having to clean up both the spill and the glass!
Thanks for the heads up on the misspelling--I found I'd still do that in the last few chapters--80 chapters of story, and now and then I'd still do "Rumevir" instead of "Ruvemir." We decided it probably means something similar to "red jewel," btw.
So, you'll try using the description to do your own sculpture of Frodo Baggins, eh? That would be interesting. I hope you like the full description of the final sculpture, then, although you probably have an idea of what it's like from reading The Ties of Family.
Good luck with the test.
Queen Galadriel
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 3: Meeting with the Patron
I never thought about that aspect of having dwarfism (is that what it is?)--that it might be difficult to move about, or that it might even make ordinary things such as climbing stairs difficult. I can well understand Ruvimir's frustration, and can sympathise as well--I can't stand being stared at either, especially when it can be felt or when I'm already feeling self-conscious. That was very instructive, though, so thank you.
Oh, okay, Thorongil then...thanks. I won't forget *that* one. Duh, of course that makes perfect sense, since "gil" means star, doesn't it? How careless of me!
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Yes, Ruvemir is indeed an example of dwarfism in humans. Oftentimes there is malformation of joints; and the legs can be so out of proportion to the body it can be very difficult to do many things. It's not unusual for human dwarfs to walk with decided lurches, as often their legs aren't the same length on both sides.
And I'm certain you understand how embarrassing it can be, dealing with stares of strangers.
The Eagle of the Star left an indelible mark on Gondor and Rohan; and already Ruvemir is beginning to get the information he needs to realize just who his patron it, although it'll take a time to fully admit it to himself.
Queen Galadriel
· 16 March 2006
· Chapter 1: Revelations
Well, I've begun this at last, and even this first chapter has me intrigued! Seeing Imrahil's and the innkeeper's surprise at finding that their king was Theronduil was just hysterical! And I like Ruvimir already, and I can certainly see just stepping out and bowing with a smile in polite introduction. :) But this is my favourite line:
“Healing someone ties you to him in a unique way. And--I helped heal him in Eriador, in
Imladris, between Moria and Lothlorien, and finally after the battle. Except in none of those healings was I--were we--totally successful. For we could
not fully counter the effects of the Enemy’s weapons. Only the Valar can fully heal him, I fear. He was willing to cast himself into the Cracks of Doom
for us all, but we could not relieve him of his pain."
Wow! What truth is in that, and what deep grief it expresses.
God bless,
Galadriel
Author's reply
Welcome to the world of Ruvemir son of Mardil. He's based partly on some people I've known, including a former drama teacher I had in college who'd been through a couple of the forms of polio as a child and whose bones and muscles never grew properly afterwards and so was quite short and had to use crutches.
Yes, Aragorn has a great deal of grief for Frodo having gone to Tol Eressea, and mourns him still.
And I bet he got a good deal of entertainment watching people realize he had been the Lord Captain Thorongil ( T h o r o n g i l ) over the years. The Master of Casistir must have been shocked past telling to recognize him!
Endaewen
· 18 February 2006
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
These last couple of chapters have been incredible.
I had an idea for a short story you could do if you are interested. I hope you don't mind. In the story you are working on currently, you say that Pippin and the others learned to be cautious when waking Strider. That might be an amusing scene to see.
Author's reply
Am so very glad you appreciate them. Ruvemir has become a favorite of mine.
As for seeing Fellowship members waking Strider--I just might try that and add it to Moments in Time. Let me think on it while I finish up The Acceptable Sacrifice.
Etharei
· 15 September 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
Having finally reached the end of this epic, I can only say: wow. Of course, after the last chapter I wasn't in much of a state to say anything for a while. There aren't enough adjectives to adequately describe your wonderful work, but this story means more than enough for me to give it the good 'ole college try.
First of all, I was a bit apprehensive when I first started this story because my experience with OCs has either been that they resemble one of the canon characters too much to stand alone as a believable person, or the authors have simply been unable to carry off their characterisations and the OCs are found to be somewhat lacking next to Tolkien's established characters. However, Ruvemir entranced me from Chapter One. Reading some of your responses, perhaps it is akin to Tolkien's sudden inspiration to one day scribble down: "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit."
What I appreciate most about your story is the focus on the arts and the spiritual side of life. I never thought I'd get as excited about the opening of Yule-tide gifts and the unveiling of a monument as I have had about battle scenes and angsty plot-twists. Making Ruvemir a mannikin increased my respect for your writing, because most authors would shy away from aspects that their readers might not be familiar with. It is always tempting to write about the beautiful, tall, and idolise-able figures, but you've reminded me that Tolkien's work was about the Hobbits- the humble, the simple, the overlooked people- not these legends.
And I love the feeling of defamiliarisation in seeing the Shire and the Hobbits through the eyes of a Man of Gondor, particularly one who went there knowing of what the Travellers had done. I also enjoyed the sudden recognitions of Aragorn; I think his character in the books fits the 'going-out-into-the-dark-of-night-pretending-to-be-a-miscellaneous-citizen' bill, so I'm glad to see him in action. Furthermore, I personally believe that the Tale is actually the most elaborate love story (love in all its forms) ever written, and I think that the meeting between Frodo and Ruvemir was perfect. There were so many points in this story where I was just reduced to blubbering tears. And though the child abuse by Master Varondil was a place where you could have lost your readers, you handled the events delicately whilst still conveying the disgusting nature of it. Plus it served to heighten the goodness of people in general and the proper nature of love addressed throughout the plot.
Thank you for a wonderful story, and for reminding me of my love of Hobbits, especially one Frodo Baggins of Bag End.
Author's reply
I am honored by your tribute to this story. That it moved you so deeply means a lot to me.
As I've said before, Ruvemir crept out of the space where the drawer is missing in the pedestal under my waterbed, bowed to introduce himself to me, and had me tell his story.
As a special ed teacher and one who is under five feet tall, I've always had an affinity for those who have disabilities or marked physical differences yet are of normal to above average intelligence; I wanted to see the rebuilding of Minas Anor from the point of view of someone who would be awed and proud of it, but not necessarily physically comfortable with it; and I wanted the story of Frodo Baggins brought out in bits and pieces to someone who has no real preconceptions of who and what he was and is.
Thank you for recognizing this is indeed a love story in all aspects of the word, and I am glad that you felt I handled the perversion of Varondil appropriately. I wanted to be blunt enough to highlight how awful the situation was, but delicate enough not to be bludgeoning people with details--have read too many modern books in which authors insist on giving so many details one feels as if one is swimming in a sewer. The imagination is often far better at appreciating the situation without each awful i dotted and t crossed.
And am so glad you appreciated the ending--it was finished before a good two thirds of the story was written, and I had to somehow bring it to that point.
Ariel
· 1 September 2005
· Chapter 80: The Final Gift
Tada! I finished it! Now on to the rest.
Nicely done and, as I said in my email, a very impressive achievement. I don't read very fast, but I absolutely treasure having a good author and an interesting story to look forward too when I find time to do it, and you have provided me with both. It's a real comfort to know I have such works to look forward to reading.
I hope my email earlier wasn't too unwelcome. Most fics I read aren't worth offering critical suggestions to (and they are only suggestions - I will happily pound sand if you tell me to. ;)) but you spent time on this one. I know I enjoy hearing suggestions from people who have enjoyed and thought about my work. Even if I don't heed their suggestions, it tells me a lot about how my work is read and perceived. That is far more valuable to me than 'wow! that's grate!'.
Ahem.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree with you. I know the greatest weakness in this is the matter of repetition, but, as you said in your email, as it was presented serially that made less impact in light of its manner of presentation than it does when read through from one end to the other.
The very fact that the story has remained sufficiently interesting you've been willing to read it in its entirety and have continued to let me know you were doing so has meant a good deal to me, as it shows that in spite of the weaknesses it still continued to engage all the way through. Thank you. And thank you again for the observations, as they will hopefully aid me in doing better in the future.
Ruvemir crept out from the empty space where the drawer is missing in the pedestal of my bed and bowed himself in introduction one day, and has managed to keep himself part of my writing life ever since. As with Tolkien and Faramir, I find I quite like him. Yes, he's often a bit too good to be true; but he's the observer and reporter and the one to help others come to terms with what is.
Thanks so very much for the feedback. I may in time look at doing a revision of this--but then, perhaps I won't. I've done a few corrections to keep things more true to canon when I realized I've made a big blooper (in For Eyes to See as Can I'd indicated Dora was Bilbo's sister when in actuality she was Drogo and Dudo's, and that took some care; here I made mistakes about Sancho Proudfoot I've corrected and Angelica Baggins Proudfoot I've decided to let stand as they are--maybe there were two Angelica Bagginses at the time, I've decided. Otherwise it gets too complicated to correct EVERYTHING, you know.
Ariel
· 31 August 2005
· Chapter 78: Unveiling
*Pant* *pant* I made it!
I am still working my way through the story, though I have had considerable interuptions lately. I'd set a goal of finishing it by the end of September so that I may review it for the MEFA's, and I think I'll manage that. I'll have a suggestion or two (and no, not about nursing - heheh!) but figured I might as well make them count towards points, right? They'll not be too critical, because it's a good story and has kept me reading even through many interuptions and that counts the most in my book. I am also marking the other stories you suggested and noting their length with relish. It is always good to have a reliable author on hand who writes highly readable prose when faced with boring meetings and long hours on patrol. Keep up the good work.
Author's reply
I am honored you have stuck with it this long. You basically have only two chapters left, so you could, with luck, finish the story in a matter of a day or two, if you have enough of a break to allow it. The next chapter deals with Ruvemir, and then there is a meeting he has looked forward to for a VERY long time and its aftermath. The last chapter is actually author's notes, so it's not necessary for the story, but serves mainly to explain where I got many of the ideas and images I expressed and used.
What kinds of patrols do you do?
Ariel
· 7 August 2005
· Chapter 69: Accepting Apprentices
I am making progress, as you see. *grin*
I am pleased to see you heeded my crit. I don't usually provide it and, as I said, this is such a delightful story, so well written and interesting that I just felt moved to say something. It's a hot point for me, and while I don't fault women for operating on the best information they have, I am driven to provide better info at any opportunity I can.
Nursing your own child is the most incredibly empowering experience in life, even for a relatively non-maternal woman like me. Modern women (and their children) have been robbed and denied this birthright because some corporate interests weren't satisfied simply providing a vital product to those few who actually needed it. They make an enormous profit (something like 86 cents on every dollar they charge) and so are highly motivated to 'hook' all the new customers they can get. And once they disrupt the natural system of mother nursing child, either by high pressure advertising, or misleading women by giving out false information in the form 'informational' packets, then that woman/child pair has no option but to buy their product for at least a year.
Nursing, by contrast, has no corporate sponsors. It has no high priced ad campaign and no champions except mothers like me who know the truth. Oh, and we also have 30 years of studies proving that nursing is better for a child. Formula companies have had some 60+ years to brainwash the public with propaganda (and outright lies). Unfortunately, their tacks seem to have worked better. Their misinformation is more common knowledge, to most people, than those hundreds of studies.
You are a smart lady (you'd have to be to come up with this complex and enchanting story!) and I hope I have at least explained why seeing a bottle in a M-e fanfic gets me going. I hope when you get the opportunity to raise your own children, you will remember some of this and look into the facts yourself. You may be as astonished and outraged as I was.
Author's reply
Ariel, I am a grandmother, although since I got my kids pregrowed (stepmother, adoptive mother, and foster parent) I've had no chance to nurse a child. Believe me, had I been able to have a child of my own it would have been breast fed.
Glad you are continuing on with the story. You are finally approaching the end. Glad you enjoy the tale, for it was a great deal of fun writing it.
Ariel
· 5 July 2005
· Chapter 53: South and West
I am reading along, and know I should be reviewing more often, but I keep the story on my PDA, as I think I have mentioned, and it makes it difficult to review. I just passed through this chapter and found one of my pet peeves, and since the story has been so utterly delightful so far, it sticks out like a sore thumb and really grates. Ok, maybe it only grates on those of us who really care about this issue, but still...
I found your use of a 'bottle of milk' very anachronistic. I realize this story is long done, but if ever you are placed in this sort of position again, I would strongly suggest you use a wetnurse. Considering all the folks who are piled into that wagon, surely a wetnurse could have been squeezed in somewhere! LOL!
In periods of human history that seem to parallel Gondorian society's level of advancement, there were no 'bottles of milk' - there were wetnurses, and if something other than a wetnurse was used, it was ONLY as a very temporary situation. Children who were not breastfed, died. Plain and simple. It is unfortunate that the result of an industry seeking to create a broader market for a rarely needed but lucrative product has created whole generations of people who accept bottle feeding as normal and look at nursing mothers as if they had just grown two heads... but I will spare you my rant... No, really I will... LOL!
Author's reply
First of all, Lanril is already six months old, and old enough to be drinking from an infant cup, and there have been many examples of such throughout history. And goats milk was sometimes used as a substitute for human milk when no wet nurse was available, usually in a leather bladder with a special sucking nipple sometimes made of intestine or a hollow reed like a straw.
But I do understand your concern. I do tend to think in terms of my own preferences, and I've been a milk drinker all my life; so I put in the milk for Lanril.
Had I had a child of my own, believe me--it would have been breast fed.
Author Reply: By the way, Ariel--you'll note I didn't fall to this in my newest story. Hope all is going well with you.
Armariel
· 4 July 2005
· Chapter 35: Plans for Married Life
About the Tree pendant: I had the same idea! But I ended up cutting it out! Well, maybe my Muse plucked it out of the sizeable pile of scraps on my cutting-room floor saying, "SOMEbody should use this!" and gave it to your Muse? haha Silly cow, she should have let it be, I might have been able to use it elsewhere! Oh well, such is art *g*
Really looking forward to that wedding...........
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Author's reply
Aha--our muses are in communication with one another, you think? Great minds do think alike, don't they? ;-P
Didn't show Pippin's wedding--just Ruvemir and Elise's in this one. Hope you don't mind!
Thanks for the feedback!
Armariel
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 32: Preparations for Rough Cutting
What, uncouth, our Sam?????????? I KNEW I didn't like that guy....what he needs is a chisel right down the middle of his skull.....
Well, I *could* say something, ahem! a little less polite *winkwink*
I love a really slimy bad guy...........................
Armariel
· 3 July 2005
· Chapter 31: Beginning the Execution of the Commission
Uh oh!!! The plot thickens....and here I was just about to think there really wasn't enough conflict going on, then boom! along comes that Varondil (sp?) creature. He looks an interestingly slimy villain...now wanna see what comes next.......*ggg*
Author's reply
You find Varondil interesting? Wait till you see Landrion of Umbar!
Glad you are still reading this, Armariel. And thanks for the feedback.
Armariel
· 29 June 2005
· Chapter 28: Reaching Rohan
ah, so Ririon finally gave his dog a name! I'm glad--that was bugging me LOLOL
Author's reply
Yes, dogs do need names, they do indeed. Glad you are glad!
Armariel
· 29 June 2005
· Chapter 26: Decisions
Psssttt---I really think you do Sam's voice best:D
I'm glad Ruvemir is going to get to see Elise again soon.................
Author's reply
Oh, I am so glad you like my depiction of Sam's voice. It is always heartening to hear such things stated.
And, yes, Ruvemir is now on his way home, and soon will see his home. Hope you enjoy the wedding.