demeter d
· 6 August 2006
· Chapter 12: The Hobbit and the Man: All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter
If the way to a Hobbit's heart is through his heart and his leaf pouch, Aragorn certainly made in instant bee-line. Bilbo, the student of languages and history must surely have known the significance of that "Ar" at the beginning of the name of someone so obviously of strong Numenorean descent. I am sure it would not have taken him long to figure out what of the rest he could not wheedle out of Gandalf and his elven friends! Nicely done!
Author's reply
I think Aragorn told him himself! That's what Bilbo says in FotR, anyway. Wonderful old chap, IMO, Bilbo! I mean to write more about him....
G.A.
demeter d
· 6 August 2006
· Chapter 11: Waiting (Gilraen, Aragorn)
After all of the years of hiding, she can now share with her son how close he is to his father. Even though she said that she had kept no hope for herself, seeing him like that toward the end of her days must have given her a certain peace. she must have known that all of the years of hiding had been for good purpose. Very sweet! Oh, and I am following "the Sword of Elendil", and am enjoying it very much.
Author's reply
Aragorn was gone from the North from age 26 to 49, and in those years he grew to "full stature of body and mind," Tolkien says. I mean to write more about Gilraen. Regarding "Sword of Elendil," I will no longer be posting it at Stories of Arda. You can find it at the members side of HASA (preferred), at Tolkienfanfiction.com, or Fanfiction.net.
Thanks for reading!
G.A.
daw the minstrel
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 5: Rider of Rohan
Ah the perils of assuming someone doesn't understand! Aragorn must have had a few such moments in his travels.
Author's reply
More than a few, I think. And also plenty where he learned something he had never known before. Travel broadens!
RS
· 4 August 2006
· Chapter 5: Rider of Rohan
Of course he understood! Very charming!
Author's reply
He certainly knew they were making fun of him, even if he didn't understand the words!
Aha! So Arwen is getting anxious eh? I'm pretty uneasy myself for Arwen. Her nervousnes is pretty contagious!
You know that I am following "Sword of Elendil" closely and I am loving this little piece! I like the way you've "woven" her thoughts and her "spinning" together.
Author's reply
I imagine that Arwen's sense of time shifts as she feels closer to Aragorn, so that these nearly thirty years seem to her impossibly long, whereas to an Elf, they are nothing.
Of course, this story is completely within the "Sword of Elendil" universe. The as-yet unwritten part of the story will make that even more evident!
Thanks for your review!
G.A.
demeter d
· 23 July 2006
· Chapter 9: Spinning (Arwen, Galadriel)
As I recall, even when they first met, as she greeted him as a distant kinsman, she said something like "I have been compared to Luthien, and perhaps my fate will be like hers." I always thought that she knew even then that eventually they would be together. So she is spinning and weaving the grey cloth of the Galadrim with her grandmother. I wonder if she had helped to make the cloak that was given to him years later when the Fellowship left. Hmm. Sweet, quiet, mood here. Well done.
Author's reply
As I tell the story, Arwen at first had conflicting feelings about Aragorn--she was attracted to him, strongly in fact, but after all he really was rather young and wet behind the ears at that point. She is also frightened at her own feelings and unsure--but as the years go on, her doubts ebb. I'm going to tell this story in fuller form some day! But as you know--because I do believe you are a reader of "Sword of Elendil"--some of this story is told there, but from Aragorn's point of view.
I'm glad you liked the piece. It's very hard for a mere mortal like me to imagine how an Elf conceives of time.
G.A.
A lovely and unusual angle from which to approach Aragorn's arrival in Lothlórien.
It seems to go with another story -- though the details are in fact contradictory. This is quite an old story: "Thorongil," by Eledhwen, written in 2002. Late in the last chapter, Aragorn arrives in Lothlórien. Until I read your fanfic, I assumed Galadriel kept her counsel about the new arrival, but having read your story, now I think Arwen was perhaps *not* surprised when Aragorn showed up on Cerin Amroth.
http://www.dreamyaspirations.co.uk/thorongil.htm
Author's reply
I know of Eledhwen's work, but I haven't read her take on Aragorn's arrival in Lothlorien.
"Spinning" takes off from my much longer, WIP "The Sword of Elendil," also at Stories of Arda, a tale of Aragorn's youth that deals extensively with his feelings for her as a young man. It is AU in some respects. Reading between the lines, I think Arwen must have had some feelings for Aragorn before he came to Lothlorien--otherwise the Tale makes it sound like she fell in love with a suit of clothes!
I hope you will read "The Sword of Elendil" and let me know what you think!
G.A.
It's a real challenge to try to capture the time-sense of an Elf! Being a mere mortal, I have to really work at it. I'm glad you find the piece moving.
G.A.
I don't think he is hideous. I think that he is quite endearing really.
Author's reply
Well, he doesn't conform to Elven standards, that's for sure! The drawing is by Leonardo da Vinci, "Grotesque."
demeter d
· 17 July 2006
· Chapter 34: Roast Mutton (Bilbo)
Delightful little look at the writer at work..... And the drawing is wonderful! Just exactly as I would have pictured one of them. My compliments to your illustrator. I have always pictured Bilbo as someone who would work in a lot of chaos, (like myself!) One thing that very much amused me in old P.J.'s version was the difference in the study in Bag End, from looking over Bilbo's shoulder to watching Frodo work, in an empty, immaculate room! I enjoyed both the sketch, and your word picture.
Author's reply
There is something of a self-portrait in this piece. While I don't need to brush my toes, I do frequently end up at my computer in my pajamas, slurping tea instead of smoking pipeweed.
My illustrator is Leonardo da Vinci. Really.
G.A.
This is wonderful. I can just see Bilbo busy with his calligraphy and illumination as he records his tale--and I love the linked illustration! Marvelous!
Author's reply
Hi, Dreamflower
The illustration inspired the tale. The minute I saw it, I thought, "Troll." Believe it or not, it's a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci!
G.A.
Nancybrooke
· 16 July 2006
· Chapter 12: The Hobbit and the Man: All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter
This was an intriguing little vignette. I enjoyed, in retrospect, both the foreshadowing of Bilbo's later encounter with Aragorn as related in "The Fellowship ... " and his apparent rejection of that idea. When it was over, however, I wanted more.
Author's reply
The friendship between Bilbo and Aragorn is something I'd like to explore further, beyond the small pieces I've already written. I'll write "more" some day!
Thanks for reading,
G.A.
This broke my heart! I feel for Gilraen. What she had to endure to keep her son safe. To lose a husband and then erase all memories of him from her son! She cannot even share these memories! Heartbreaking.
I also found it quite sad picturing the rambunctious Aragorn--the only child in Imladris--playing by himself. All he had were "grownups" to play with and never had the experience of playing with other children (which by the way you brilliantly reflected in "The Sword of Elendil"). Once again you tugged at my heartstring.
Author's reply
On the other hand, he had a whole lot of quality attention!
Grey Wonderer
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
Very enjoyable and so like Sam.
Author's reply
Sam was pretty bold for such a self-effacing guy, don't you think? Boromir is learning a lot in the north.
Poor Gilraen. She's lost her husband, her home, her people - and now she's lost her son. It's a good thing that Elrond is perceptive and wise - he will make it as easy for her as anyone can, but I still think she is the real victim in the hiding of Aragorn. I hope - I'm fairly sure - she thought it was worth it. Most of the time.
Author's reply
She hasn't lost her son, but she has lost her husband in more than one way. Now she can't talk about him with the one person who needs most to hear about him. That is very sad, indeed. And a tragedy for Aragorn, too, although he won't understand how big a tragedy it is for many years. These themes are a major part of "The Sword of Elendil." I hope you read it! I'd love to hear your opinion!
G.A.
*sigh* Poor Gilraen. Yet it is exactly what needs to happen in order to save her son's life.
Author's reply
That's what Elrond said, anyway. In "Sword of Elendil," I go into "why" in much more depth. The answer has not yet been revealed....
G.A.
Dreamflower
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
Oh you *do* have Sam down perfectly in this: his perception of how other people are feeling and his clear statements of the truth, Shire wisdom or plain hobbit-sense, it is just what Boromir needs to hear! Well done!
Author's reply
I've had fun writing Sam, the few times I've done it, and look forward to more. As for Boromir, his head must be reeling. There's so much to explore in the relationships inside the Fellowship.
Thanks for reviewing,
G.A.
Oh poor Gilraen this must have been such a hard and sad time for her.
Author's reply
Yes, to lose her husband and then have her whole life ripped up and brought elsewhere. On the other hand, living in Rivendell isn't so bad.
G.A.
Raksha The Demon
· 4 July 2006
· Chapter 2: Reckoning (Gilraen, Elrond, Aragorn)
Oh this is excellent! I can practically feel Gilraen's heart breaking as her son becomes someone else, someone who isn't just hers anymore, and the memory of her beloved husband is shoved farther away and out of sight. And yet, she's probably glad that her little boy is happily adjusting to his new home.
The child's happy insistence that she call him "Estel" instead of "Areg" must have been especially bittersweet to Gilraen, not to mention calling Elrond "Papa" and running to play with him rather than his tired mother. But it's for the best; a child answering to "Areg", even hidden in Rivendell, might attract unwelcome notice and rumors.
Author's reply
Hi, Raksha
I based this scene in part on a personal experience: when a very dear friend of mine was killed in an accident, a number of us gathered to keep company. And the three-year-old child, who had been very close with the dead man, was as happy as a lark to be with so many people. She didn't understand, and she was too full of the joy of childhood to be sad.
So, yes, it's much harder for Gilraen.
G.A.
Elemmírë
· 19 June 2006
· Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
You should really listen to Sam's advice, Boromir!
Lovely little story!
Author's reply
Travel broadens, even for the son of the Steward. Thanks for reading!
RS
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
I can actually hear Sam's voice saying those words. Those sentences were totally Sam Gamgee. Though I disagree with Sam, I think Strider was MUCH to look at and I would definitely invite him to my parlor! But then again, Sam did come to his Hobbit senses! I really enjoyed this.
Author's reply
As far as Strider goes, I agree with you! He'd be welcome in my parlor any time, and he is eye candy in my book. But after all, Sam is a very conventional Hobbit and hasn't been out of the Shire very long. It's fun to write him, because his voice is so distinct.
Bodkin
· 18 June 2006
· Chapter 15: Plain Hobbit Sense (Boromir, Sam)
Good for Sam. And oddly, I can see him being much more outgoing with Men - after all, they have no place in the social system of the Shire!
And loyalty - well, if it isn't Sam's middle name, it should be.
Author's reply
I was thinking of the scene in The Two Towers where he tells off Faramir, shaking a finger at him. That would be something to see! Sam is bold when it comes to defending his own--and by now, Strider has joined that group.
Thanks for reading!