Drabbles, Vignettes and Such by Gandalfs apprentice
Bodkin · 16 March 2006 · Chapter 13: Tharbad Crossing (Boromir)
He must have despaired of ever reaching a place he didn't even really believe in - but dogged persistence was definitely one of his key traits. And he trusted Faramir.
Author's reply
Courage was one of Boromir's main virtues, I think, and trusting Faramir one of his wisest! G.A.
grumpy · 15 March 2006 · Chapter 14: Suspicion (Frodo, Sam, Aragorn)
Sam was right, Aragorn did have a lot of sharp and pointy things on hs person. Poor Gimli, grossing out Legolas, got a laugh out of that one.
Author's reply
And a good thing, too (the sharp and pointy things). Truly the Hobbits would never have made it to Rivendell without him! I think Legolas learned to be somewhat less persnickety as the journey progressed. G.A.
Raksha The Demon · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 13: Tharbad Crossing (Boromir)
This is a marvelous drabble - Boromir battered and weary, regains inspiration from the memory of his distant brother's hope in the dream that has taken Boromir so far from home. It's as if the brothers are united once more; Faramir the visionary, and Boromir the warrior. And yet we know that they'll never meet again in this life. Very well done!
Author's reply
Hi, Raksha! Thanks for tracking down my drabbles and leaving comments. I hoped in this drabble to touch a bit on all three: father and both sons. The conversations between them when the decision to follow the summons would make a great story in their own right, don't you think? G.A.
Larner · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Elfstone (Celebrimbor)
Aha--what a beautiful telling of the forging of the Elessar stone brooch.
Author's reply
I think it jives with either version of the origin of the stone that you choose to honor. I see Celebrimbor making this for Galadriel; the rest is history, as they say.
Larner · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 13: Tharbad Crossing (Boromir)
And he found it--not only for Gondor but for all of Middle Earth. It took him so long to appreciate just what it was he found in the North--the King he'd unconsciously sought, the example of perseverence beyond all, the example of love which will do all to support and endure. And he found his own redemption.
Author's reply
There's a lot of unexplored development in Boromir's journey, since Tolkien never lets you into his head. I hope I provided a glimpse here. G.A.
shirebound · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Elfstone (Celebrimbor)
That's magnificent. Beautiful.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, G.A.
Dreamflower · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 1: Elfstone (Celebrimbor)
Beautiful.
Dreamflower · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 13: Tharbad Crossing (Boromir)
This was an important event, really--if Boromir had not lost his horse precisely when he did, he would not have arrived preciselly when he did. I like your take on it.
Author's reply
Tolkien says in Unfinished Tales that the heroism of Boromir's journey to the North was understated in LotR, so I'm giving Boromir here a bit of the glory he deserves.
Dreamflower · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 14: Suspicion (Frodo, Sam, Aragorn)
That's cute. Yes, all that metal would seem suspicious to Sam. I'm glad you have him carrying a regular sword as well as the broken one--so much more useful, after all...
Author's reply
I think Tolkien just forgot to mention it, don't you? G.A.
Dreamflower · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 36: Hair (Legolas, Gimli)
*ROTFL!* *That* needs a splork warning, that does! "Four pairs of hairy feet and four beards" *snicker* You don't suppose it might occur to him that they find his *lack* of hair unnatural?
Author's reply
Personally my sympathies are entirely on the side of the hirsute! G.A.
Bodkin · 12 March 2006 · Chapter 36: Hair (Legolas, Gimli)
This is really funny - an aspect of the Fellowship that doesn't normally occur to the reader! Poor Legolas - he must have been halfway between fascination and revulsion ... until that seminal moment, when revulsion probably won hands down. If that is a suitable expression, considering.
Author's reply
LOL. You could write a good drabble with that one. G.A.
Bodkin · 12 March 2006 · Chapter 14: Suspicion (Frodo, Sam, Aragorn)
So funny in retrospect - but I'm not surprised Sam was wary of scruffy, rough-looking Aragorn.
Author's reply
Hi, Bodkin Indeed not--but the idea that he could have protected Frodo from such a man is ludicrous, as Aragorn himself pointed out (making a generality of it) in the inn at Bree. If he had wanted the Ring, he would have had it. G.A.
estel e edain · 11 March 2006 · Chapter 36: Hair (Legolas, Gimli)
lol thats chapters HILARIOUS!!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it. Check out my other humor pieces in the drabbles like "Bedtime" and "Gandalf's No Good, Rotten, Really Bad Day." Thanks for reading, G.A.
Larner · 10 March 2006 · Chapter 36: Hair (Legolas, Gimli)
Hilarious look at the hirsuit from one lacking in much of bodily hair. Love it!
Author's reply
If you follow canon (which in this case I think is highly eccentric and definitely not to my own taste) Elves had very little hair anywhere except on their heads, where it grew in luxuriant abundance. Strange. G.A.
Larner · 10 March 2006 · Chapter 14: Suspicion (Frodo, Sam, Aragorn)
Save that dangerous-looking Strider got to all of them, deep in the heart where they found him lodged ever after. Nice moment of Sam's wariness.
Author's reply
I imagine the Hobbits didn't think much of Men in general at this time in the journey. Remember what Frodo says at Rivendell: "big and rather stupid." Travel broadens, even for Hobbits. G.A.
Larner · 10 March 2006 · Chapter 22: Fugitive (Aragorn, OFC)
Yes, a moment of grief foreshadowed here. Gilraen, granddaughter of Gilraen. And glad the greatest tracker in the kingdom found her.
Author's reply
It was inevitable that he would! Gilraen is a bit off the mark on her skills vis a vis her teacher. I see Aragorn at his death as asking his daughter to take care of her mother. I'll write that story some day. Thanks for reading! G.A.
Raksha The Demon · 10 March 2006 · Chapter 14: Suspicion (Frodo, Sam, Aragorn)
In the words of the immortal Diarist Cassandra Claire - "Sam will kill him if he tries anything." Mmmph. Rather an amusing drabble. Liked Sam's mention of the Sword-that-was-broken.
Author's reply
Hi, Raksha The gap between intent and ability is large in the case of Sam, so loyal and slightly ridiculous. G.A.
grumpy · 1 March 2006 · Chapter 22: Fugitive (Aragorn, OFC)
Ah ha, the child has been found by the greastest tracker, her father. Very good drabble, I like that part about Aragorn saying he went from 10 to 12.
Author's reply
hi grumpy I'm glad you liked it. I wanted to show some of the process of growing up, along with a portrait of Aragorn as a father. Thanks for being a good reader! Gandalfs apprentice
Bodkin · 26 February 2006 · Chapter 22: Fugitive (Aragorn, OFC)
I enjoyed this - Aragorn's daughter has a sense of humour, which is a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to being really moody and he has understood instinctively that she has hit the age when explanation and soliciting her help can be a lot more beneficial than commanding obedience. Not an easy role for her to fill, though.
Author's reply
There's nothing instinctive about it. He is quite consciously and deliberately asking for her help, and saying the things he knows she needs to hear to be able to make that leap (leadership in action...). In that sense it's a "coming of age" story. No doubt she won't always fill the role to satisfaction, but she'll try! Thanks for reading, G.A.
Lia · 26 February 2006 · Chapter 22: Fugitive (Aragorn, OFC)
Just beautiful! The last line gave me a lump in my throat! *sad*
Author's reply
There's a tale to tell in the last line, but that story is not yet complete. Some day I will finish it.... Thanks for reading, G.A.
meckinock · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 3: Horse Thief (Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel, Asfaloth, Aragorn)
This was really fun. I enjoyed the warm interaction between Elladan and Estel.
Author's reply
Hey, there--nice to hear from you. I wrote this, among other reasons, to establish more of a relationship between the twins and Estel. G.A.
grumpy · 22 January 2006 · Chapter 3: Horse Thief (Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel, Asfaloth, Aragorn)
Poor Glorfindel he does seem to have problems with his horse being swiped. At least in the book he got to ride it. I do like Estel's reason for taking that horse. Plus he was smart enough to take good food with him. Elladan did make a mistake making a promise he could not keep. Poor Estel first no dwarves and then no hunting orcs. Just wait till Gilrean hears about the hunting orcs.
Author's reply
Poor Glorfindel indeed. Probably everyone in Middle-earth will have swiped that horse before all we fanfic writers are through. Of course, you might object that if Asfaloth is a normal horse, he couldn't possibly have been around as early as when Aragorn was 11 years old and still alive 76 years later. But Tolkien says he was an Elf-horse, so I figure that he must live a long time. G.A.
Larner · 21 January 2006 · Chapter 3: Horse Thief (Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel, Asfaloth, Aragorn)
These are wonderful punishments for both of them. Poor Elladan! Having to deal with both Aragorn AND Gilraen is quite the experience! Heh!
Author's reply
I can't see Gilraen letting him off lightly. He really messed up pretty badly, if you go by what he himself admits. No wonder the kid ran away. Even Elves make mistakes!
Larner · 21 January 2006 · Chapter 21: Jewels (Aragorn, Faramir)
Aha! A sensuous view and promise of more riding for the evening, in which four will enjoy themselves thoroughtly--I hope in discrete pairs, of course....
Author's reply
I deliberately leave any fantasies of the nighttime up to the reader's imagination.
Bodkin · 21 January 2006 · Chapter 3: Horse Thief (Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel, Asfaloth, Aragorn)
I love it. Obstinate Estel - Elladan (at about 3000) in similar trouble. Glorfindel tapping his toe. The penalty of having to explain to Gilraen. And, perhaps most of all, the ancient story of youthful moodiness that will live with Elladan until Arda ends. Such a beautifully constructed story with such delicious characterisations. Lovely.
Author's reply
Thanks, Bodkin! Some day I'll find out just why Elladan was in that tree...