demeter d
· 29 November 2021
· Chapter 108: Our wood, the Wood Elf and thoughts of other woods
Yeah! You are back. As many reviewers noted, we go from reading about cold during an august heat wave, to reading about snow in November. Some of us have already had one snowstorm, or more. Although, in my Snake River Valley, we are having an unseasonably warm November. I like Shirebound's comment on the "otherness" of Legolas. I have read comments over the years where people say that due to his close friendships with mortals, Legolas almost seems "half-elven", like the twins. Here, tho, you very much show his confident ties to nature, and his own inate power. Your Bill has very much noticed all of the little things which make up his companion's personalities.
Author's reply
Yay! I carved some time from work to finish this chapter and part of the next, so at least Bill's story should move forward this week. (I am hoping for more time to work on the puppy story, too, but I'm on another deadline at work, so we'll see...) Think good thoughts.
After worrisome drought (the drought maps were a waking nightmare), we are experiencing record rainfall for the month. Better than drought, anyhow. I wonder if we'll have snow this year? In any event, there's plenty of snow in the current chapters of Bill's story.
Thank you so much for stopping to tell what you noticed! It seemed to me that as a Wood Elf, Legolas would have a special connection with trees, somehow. Didn't JRRT say something about the Elves trying to talk to all living things? It has been interesting to contemplate. And I still remember being struck, decades ago, by the 'otherness' of Legolas when the members of the Fellowship were descending Caradhras, and he was running lightly over the snow. And I got that 'cold as ice, hard as steel' impression when he shot the Fell Beast out of the air - in the darkness, wasn't it? My brain insists it was the one sent to collect Pippin from Saruman after the fool of a Took looked in the palantír, but I must admit, it has been a few years since I've read the books, and I might be misremembering. I have begun again, listening to a chapter a day in audiobook form while winding down from work at the end of the day.
shirebound
· 29 November 2021
· Chapter 108: Our wood, the Wood Elf and thoughts of other woods
I like seeing this scene filled out so beautifully, and how Bill is seeing and sensing the 'otherness' of Legolas.
Good wishes to you, my friend! I hope life is bringing you many things for which to be thankful.
Author's reply
Thank you, my friend. I think that Bill's pony senses would definitely pick up on such things.
We had a wonderful, relatively quiet holiday, but including some blessed time with loved ones that we don't see often enough. I hope this reply finds you well, and send my warmest wishes in return.
(I saw in another review of someone's story, you said you might write again, perhaps...? How lovely that would be. I mean to imply no pressure, simply encouragement and cheer. I think, once this latest deadline at work is put to bed, I will polish off the next Bill chapter and then seek out one of your Cormallen stories for a respite.)
Hugs.
KathyG
· 20 November 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
Hopefully, it won't take you long to finish editing the dissertation! Then you can get back to working on your own story and reading ours.
And thanks. I'm glad to know our story hasn't fallen into the Mary-Sue trap. BTW, it's not so much that LOTR doesn't exist--in our story, it does, just as it does in real life--as it is that none of the modern-day characters have ever read any of Tolkien's books. Likewise, while they have seen bits of scenes from the Peter Jackson movies while channel-surfing, they've never watched the movies, either. Not the Peter Jackson movies, and not the earlier animated movies, either. The elder McClouds have never been into fantasy, you see. Science fiction, yes, at least on Steve's part, but never works of fantasy, and the only fantasy that the children have read and watched before this happened have been Disney movies and The Wizard of Oz. (Maybe Alice in Wonderland, too; I haven't decided about that. They have watched the Disney movie by that name; I just haven't decided if they've also read the book or the other one, Through the Looking-Glass.) If any of the children dreamed of going to a magic fairyland, it was probably Kaylee, and she probably dreamed of going to Oz.
As I said more than once, I feel that the story of the modern-day young woman who's a fan of Tolkien has been pretty much done to death by now, and I wanted something different. Since I love children anyway, I wanted to see a story written in which a family of children--and their puppy--found themselves in Middle-earth. And I felt that it would work better if they had never read the books or seen the movies. Alas, no one else appeared to be interested in writing such a story, so I ended up having to write it myself. Or co-write it, rather; I needed a co-author to do the story justice, and I could think of no one better to do the job than Dreamflower, so I asked her to write the story with me.
It's such a shame that Boz4PM has completely dropped out of the fandom, and isn't even receiving reviews of her stories anymore! I would have liked to know what she thought of my story. But unless she returns to the Tolkien fandom, that's never going to happen now.
KathyG
· 19 November 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
Thanks. I'm glad to say that my mother is much better now. However, since we've got some catching up to do in writing our chapters, Dreamflower and I have decided to wait until January to resume posting them.
Hey, Lindelea, do you still keep in touch with Boz4PM? If you do, any chance you could persuade her to come pay our story a visit, mine and Dreamflower's?
Author's reply
I'm sorry to say that I lost track of Boz4PM during the years I was away from fanfic. Oddly enough, I only returned for the sake of comfort-reading when the Covid-19 lockdown hit and derailed life and all its distractions. I was so blessed to see SoA still up and running, and I am deeply grateful to the mods who are keeping it going.
Just a thought that occurred to me as I was pondering your story... I think something that makes it not-Mary Sueish is the fact that the modern-day characters lived in a world where LOTR didn't exist, so they don't know all about the characters and everything that is supposed to happen. Boz4PM's character did happen to know the story, but Boz handled it very well, including the character's worry that revealing her "special knowledge" might change the outcome, as well as not writing Halbarad as a love interest for the modern-day character, but rather, something of a protector and mentor.
Author Reply: p.s. I'm glad your mother is much better.
I have had another dissertation dumped in my lap, with a very short fuse. Editing pays for the groceries, but the deadlines wreak havoc with my fanfic habit.
Author Reply: Sorry to spam you.
I should have said, "I am very grateful to the mods who are keeping it going and the authors who posted so much rich, deep reading, along with those who keep posting new material now." Which, of course, includes you and Dreamflower. I will hope to catch up on all the chapters I've missed during holiday breaks (surely graduate students take holiday breaks from their writing?), and I certainly look forward to seeing new chapters in January. Please convey my warmest regards to Dreamflower. The wee hobbits are all grown up now, but they still talk about that care package she sent them when we were immersed in medieval history studies.
Tari
· 16 November 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
"the Sun kicks off her bedcovers and makes her way across the sky, and sometimes it seems as if she is running races, like a frisky colt, and at other times as if she can crawl no faster than a snail on a leaf." I absolutely love your description of the sun.
I have finally caught up with my reading and wait patiently for the next chapter.
(We had our fist snow yesterday.)
Author's reply
Ah, yes, the weather has turned much chillier here (frost warning last night not far away from us), which is conducive to writing more about Caradhras, I must say. I am hoping (fingers crossed) to get more writing in. I rather overloaded with work the past few months, but I have cut back my work schedule a bit, or tried to, anyhow, so we'll see if I can resist the siren call of biting off more than I can chew... Thanks so much for the words of encouragement!
Tari
· 3 November 2021
· Chapter 106: We stop and find ‘shelter’
Ah, the magic of the eleven brew. Startlement? How funny.
Author's reply
Ah, yes. Equines are quite prone to startlement, I have found. One horse of mine had a deep, enduring suspicion of puddles.
Thanks!
KathyG
· 9 October 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
Since I've already reviewed this chapter (and am looking forward to reading your next one!), this is not another review, but a reference to the story Dreamflower and I are writing, which you've been reviewing. I'd post this as a reply to one of your reviews there, except you can't respond to my post there as you can here.
I know that you read Boz4PM's stories, "Don't Panic" and "Now Panic," while she was posting them, and that you were quite impressed with the level of realism she inserted into those stories. I think we would all agree that she did a most effective job of not making Penny a Mary Sue! Penny's reactions were doubtless what any real-life person's reactions would be, if such an event were to happen in real life. And the conditions she had to endure were certainly realistic. It certainly didn't help that she found herself out in the middle of nowhere, without any of the landmarks that would have told her where she was! Not to mention being bare-footed and in her pajamas?! Ugh, no way! [shudders]
I'm just curious to know: how successful, up to this point, have Dreamflower and I been in keeping our O.C.'s from becoming Mary Sues? Of course, unlike Penny, the McClouds know little about Tolkien's works when they first enter Middle-earth, and it helps them that their entry point is Rivendell, not somewhere out in the wilderness. But how are we doing in that respect? Are our characters Mary-Suish, despite our efforts, or have we been at all successful in making their reactions and their circumstances real?
Author's reply
I have not had the impression that they were Mary-Suish, actually. I will think about this some more and try to formulate my thoughts a bit more coherently.
Author Reply: p.s. I just read the announcement having to do with the hiatus and wanted to send my best to you and your mum.
Tari
· 3 October 2021
· Chapter 104: We play ‘I hide and you seek me’ with the wind and snow
A pony with a sense of humor. Hahahahaha.
Author's reply
I have known some ponies with a sense of humor. They can be such characters!
(Thanks!)
Tari
· 10 September 2021
· Chapter 101: We begin our climb, and pause for a rest
I LOVE your description of the sunset.
Author's reply
Belated thanks, Tari!
(I have no idea if you'll see this reply, but I really appreciate your having taken the time to share your thoughts.)
Larner
· 29 August 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
Being able to wear a warm,snuggly robe the last few days still seems weird after June's heat, doesn't it? Now, for Olorin to demonstrate his and Narya's affinity for fire!
Will becoming down this Tuesday. See you then.
Author's reply
Wonderful! Looking forward to seeing you!
I am so looking forward to autumn. You should have heard me cheering the grey skies yesterday. Bring on the rain and snuggling with the overlarge puppy and a blanket and a good book.
(((hugs)))
Tari
· 24 August 2021
· Chapter 98: We wind through the hills, climbing higher
I love your take on Ring Around The Rosy.
Author's reply
Thank you! It's such fun to think up Middle-earth equivalents. (Since "Ring around the Rosy" was about the Black Death, I didn't feel right using that one... though I do recall a plague in JRRT's writings. From Tokien Gateway: The Great Plague, also known as the Dark Plague was a disastrous pestilence that killed untold numbers of people). Anyhow, knowing hobbits, the rhyme in the "fish" game probably goes something like "fish - wish - dish"... LOL!
More coming soon. I was very swamped at work, but have had a little free time today to work towards new chapters in this and the dog story, so hoping to post something before the weekend.
I appreciate your stopping by to leave an encouraging word!
Tari
· 24 August 2021
· Chapter 98: We wind through the hills, climbing higher
I love your take on Ring Around The Rosy.
Tari
· 16 August 2021
· Chapter 97: We make our own hiding places
Wouldn't it be something if horses and ponies were really that smart? Actually it might be scary. I love Bill.
Author's reply
It would certainly be something!
(I had a sneaking suspicion that Zoe, our previous Giant Schnauzer, had a higher IQ than her humans. She never lorded it over us, though. Sigh. We have bought push-buttons that will speak words if the current dog pushes them. I don't know what we're letting ourselves in for...)
Sue
· 13 August 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
Welcome back! Its nice to think of snow in this oppressively hot weather. Dear dear Bill. Great heart indeed!
Author's reply
Thank you! I am on a deadline at work, but just as soon as I finish this project, I'll type in the next chapter and post it. I appreciate your staying with me through these fits and starts!
(And you've got something there. In our former non-air-conditioned house, I used to read Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter every August as a sort of mental break from the heat. Oddly enough, that book starts out with a description of Pa and Laura haying on a sweltering summer day...)
KathyG
· 11 August 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
Good thing we know how this ends, huh? In the next chapter, Gandalf will save the day! Meanwhile, they're all having a very rough time in that frigid cold and relentless snow.
Author's reply
It sure is a good thing! Y'know, that's one reason why on my original stories I always have to write the ending before I can proceed. I have to know that there's a good ending!
(Alas, poor Bill... the middle, as the Professor set it up, is not at all pleasant to contemplate. Sigh. I keep looking forward to that reunion with his Sam in Bree. But with the short attention span of a pony, it is taking some time to get to that point!)
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Please give my best regards to DF.
Author Reply: p.s. I am quite looking forward to having some breathing room to indulge my fanfic reading habits again, but it will have to wait as I just now got swamped with work again for the next few days. Ai! (as I seem to recall Legolas saying at one point) At least it pays the grocery bills...
I don't know how many chapters behind I am in the Unexpected Adventure (as well as a number of other stories I was in the middle of reading when RL got crazy busy here), but I am really looking forward to catching up again!
shirebound
· 10 August 2021
· Chapter 107: We have leave to kindle fire, but cannot
We're having a heatwave as well, and I don't mind reading about snow!
I continue to delight in your descriptions of Merry, such as... the more-frozen-than-merry hobbit... !
Author's reply
Stay safe! Over 100 died in a recent heat wave here. There was a bad mistake in the city’s help line, so no one was monitoring the phones over the weekend when the high temps began, even though the media was telling people to dial 222 to get a ride to a cooling center. Many here don’t have air conditioning and couldn’t cope with temps over 115. But I heard that people have been working hard to protect the vulnerable in later heat waves this summer.
((Hugs)) Thanks for stopping to leave a good word.
Larner
· 24 June 2021
· Chapter 106: We stop and find ‘shelter’
Bill is so perceptive, and I rejoice that he, too, benefits from the miruvor.
Bless Gandalf for remembering the pony as he seeks to hearten the rest.
Looking forward to more. I've been through a bit of a low myself, and am finally beginning to feel better.
Author's reply
It does seem reasonable that Gandalf, with his gift for encouragement, would not leave out the pony.
I hope this reply finds you feeling better. I wrote the first part of the next chapter during that murderous heat wave we had earlier, and now another one is beginning. Stay well.
Larner
· 24 June 2021
· Chapter 105: The storm grows ever worse
Poor Pippin! Hypothermia is not fun, believe me! And I'd not be the least surprised to learn that both Saruman and Redhorn are laughing at the plight of the Fellowship at this point.
Author's reply
I always wondered about those fell voices on the air... Eerie. I have been shivering cold in my lifetime, but I'm glad to say it never got as far as hypothermia or frostbite. The poor Fellowship! (All but the Wood Elf, who doesn't seem to be affected by the cold in the same way as the others.)
Thanks. I hope this finds you well.
sue
· 17 June 2021
· Chapter 106: We stop and find ‘shelter’
Oh sweet, brave Bill. His courage brings tears to my eyes - even though I know all will be well, eventually. Thank you for writing again.
Author's reply
Thank you so much for stopping to leave a good word! I keep trying to write and getting interrupted. But I had the next chapter half-written when I sat down again today, so that was a help.
KathyG
· 14 June 2021
· Chapter 106: We stop and find ‘shelter’
Bill is certainly doing his best to keep the wind off the hobbits, isn't he? Which the wind is not making easy for him to do! I'm glad he got to share some of the cordial.
Author's reply
I'm glad he got some cordial, too. It seemed a reasonable action for Gandalf to take. At least in my book.
Thanks!
shirebound
· 12 June 2021
· Chapter 106: We stop and find ‘shelter’
Greatheart, he murmurs in the language of the Elves in the hidden Valley, and the very tone infuses me with warmth and renewed strength of purpose as if bestowing courage is among his powers
That's a lovely moment, as is Bill getting a taste of the cordial.
Author's reply
Somehow it seemed right to me that Bill, though only a pony, would also receive some of that life-restoring liquid. And then I remembered that one of Gandalf's powers was encouragement, so it seemed like a good time for him to use some of that power on the "patient but dejected" pony. I'm glad the scene works!
Thanks for stopping to leave your thoughts.
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 7 June 2021
· Chapter 105: The storm grows ever worse
Lindelea!
Hello! I am still many chapters back on this story so I can really comment on this chapter but I just thought I would stop by to say "Hello!" and see how you have been! My husband and I are on our trip anywhere since the pandemic hit. We have gone to Morro Bay on the Central Coast of California. It is cool and lovely!
Hope you and yours are well!
Lovely to see you posting!!
((hugs))
MM
Author's reply
How lovely! We have a trip planned later in the year to visit the mountains. We took a lovely day trip to the Coast last month, three weeks after everyone in the household had been vaccinated, and will hopefully be able to do that again a couple times this summer. Since the ocean is only about two hours away, day trips are possible, though rather exhausting (I need a day off to recover from one of those days off). Morro Bay sounds wonderful!
We are well, thanks. ((hugs)) Enjoy your holiday!
shirebound
· 7 June 2021
· Chapter 105: The storm grows ever worse
‘He’s frozen halfway to a snow-hobbit, Mr Frodo,’
I like that description.
Many hugs to you, my friend! ♥
Author's reply
Thanks so much! ((hugs))
Tari
· 24 May 2021
· Chapter 92: We endure disappointment for the sake of necessity
I never heard of horses or ponies eating warm mash. I can't imagine anyone taking time to heat their food.
Author's reply
p.s. Thank you for stopping to leave a good word!
Tari
· 24 May 2021
· Chapter 92: We endure disappointment for the sake of necessity
I never heard of horses or ponies eating warm mash. I can't imagine anyone taking time to heat their food.
Author's reply
I first heard the term in the book Black Beauty, I think. Though I never had the occasion to feed my horse a warm bran mash, I found some references to it in a web search, including this description:
Bran mashes have traditionally been provided to horses by their owners because they believe the high fiber content of bran combined with various mixtures of grains, supplements, and warm water increase water intake during cold weather and prevent colic. Or, they simply want to give their horses a warm, comforting treat.
and
Many veterinarians recommend providing horses with a bran mash once a week during cold winter months when the horses may not be drinking enough water, following stressful work, during long trailer transport across the country or following foaling. They feel that providing a bran mash supplement stimulates the horse’s intestinal tract and provides an alternate water source.
(from https://aaep.org/horsehealth/bran-mash, if you're interested in reading more)