Reviews (344)

Author's reply

Thank you so much for appreciating it, Grumpy. I try to write them well, and am sorry that at times I appear to let some characters slide into obscurity. Thanks so much for all the feedback--it keeps me writing.

Author's reply

Yes, Frodo and the butterflies are there in my own imaginary picture gallery--if only I could draw it as well as I see it in my mind's eye! So glad you enjoyed it. The plotbunny with the wine bottle finally won out, as you'll note if you read the latest in Moments in Time. Hope all continues to go well with you. Next time I head across the Sound we'll have to see if we can meet somewhere.

Author's reply

He's in the Guild of Healers and the one for Herbalists and Gardeners--plus his position as Commander in Chief of the forces of Gondor and Arnor isn't just ceremonial--he truly knows what he and his armies are doing and leads them himself. Glad you appreciate the image of him with the kitten on his shoulder--I, too, love it, and have had that happen a time or two with one of my own. Thanks so much for the feedback. I appreciate it so much.

Author's reply

Yes, Ruvemir seems to have been born able to empathize with others, and I bless him for it. And am glad you appreciate that life is mixed--the good with the bad, the sadness of departing friends and the joy of enjoying those who remain, the company of animals and the stern attitude necessary when dealing with those who would exploit others. Thanks so much for catching up. Am looking forward to the next chapter of Rebecca and Thomas's story.

Author's reply

Yes, sometimes cats choose their people indeed, and it's always interesting when they do. And now the Lord King Elessar is also the Lord Bard Elessar as well. Got caught at last--now to find out if they ever catch Awen as well! And the royal family of Harad is now back together again in their own land, their horizons much broadened. I suspect the next time there is a state visit to Harad, Nefiramonrani will have pillows as well as head rests available, don't you? ;-)

Author's reply

Oh, Faramir and Eowyn must have made a gorgeous couple even when dressed for supervising the dropping of a new foal! As for Aragorn and Arwen--that goes without saying! Heh!

Author's reply

I'll add that to the group of Nuzguls now taking up space in my bathroom, Raksha. Yes, I think the two would do a wonderful job checking out some of the peoples to the east of Gondor and Rhovanion.... So glad you like Benai, and I do hope to write more at some time--although that may take a while as I have several other stories fighting over which will be written and posted first. And apparently several have seen that same documentary on either Discovery or PBS. I thought it was fascinating. A close friend is Orthodox, and her family is Cohenim, so I feel a personal pleasure in learning more about the finding of more where none was expected.

Author's reply

I've been rereading The Lord of the Rings at least once or twice a year for the last forty-two. Got into it just before the release of the infamous Ace Edition here in the States, and was probably the first at my junior high and later my high school to have fallen in love with Middle Earth. I find lots of real-life things work their way into my stories, such as the volcano glass, the real effects of spider bites, feeding kittens, and now the Ethiopean Jews, which I first learned of in a documentary on The Discovery Channel, I think. (That was where I first learned about advanced research on spider bites and tick bites as well, so you can blame the Discovery Channel for a lot of odd ideas creeping into my stories, I guess!) I agree about Arwen having had training as a healer even if she should not have received the healing gift which was carried by her father and brothers and cousins however many times removed--grow up around her ada and you'll undoubtedly learn some healing skills even if you never meant to. Thanks so much for following my work. I appreciate it so much!

Author's reply

I haven't ever heard the NPR version of LOTR, but I agree with the BBC version--the guy who did Aragorn was a bit too much, I always thought. Glad you love the link with Frodo and Sam. I try to write Aragorn as I personally see him, capable of being ruthless, and yet at the same time highly compassionate and to the devil with protocol when it gets in the way. Harad was interesting to imagine, and I tried to make it in part true to Egypt and in part its own place, just as there is no way Middle Earth is actually Europe in spite of similarities. As for the next nuzgul--it's coming along. Thanks so much for the reviews and following along in my version of ME.

Author's reply

Yes, being alone amongst the immortals could be lonely at times, with the heart sometimes needing mortal bread and mortal love. And glad you like Earendil and the butterflies; but for me, also, it was the moment of communion with Aragorn that would mean the most to me, were I Frodo. Yes, am working on a couple and have another rather motherly nuzgul that keeps peering into the bedroom door. Am not certain if I like what the plotbunny that wants my bottle of wine is turning into--Think I'll work on that one a while. But the pathetic nuzgul who's been into the bandaids is shaping up nicely, I think.

Author's reply

I'm High Church Anglican, myself; and you have to remember than when first Tolkien and then I were growing up the wine was rarely shared by the congregation in RC communion services, while it's long been considered a necessity in Anglican Eucharists. Also, as a member of the Altar Guild, I had to learn how to deal with all this stuff, of course. Tolkien, Lewis, and I were all influenced by George McDonald, who was himself a minister; in The Princess and Curdy the princess's father was sustained only by bread and wine for a time, which is where I think Tolkien chose to have Frodo and Sam sustained by the lembas and where, of course, I came up with Frodo's breakfast choices. Tolkien felt that in many ways the stay on Tol Eressea was for Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam their Purgatory; I like to think it was a pleasant preparation, waiting for their own advent to beyond the bounds of Arda. And thanks so much for following along. Am not too happy with the way the plotbunny with the wine bottle is working out, but am reasonably pleased with the pathetic looking nuzgul. May begin posting that one soon.

Author's reply

Thank you, Tigger, for appreciating it so. And yes, meeting Earendil must have been an unexpected joy for Frodo, as it must have been for Elrond to have been reunited with him after so very many years and to have brought the two of them together. Thanks so much for all the reviews and all.

Author's reply

Aragorn will end up in other stories as well, you know. And I am so very glad you've enjoyed this as much as you have. One of the stories I'm working on has Aragorn in it, and the other doesn't, while a third I'm sketching out in my mind may.... It's not that far advanced, though.

Author's reply

I think there were only a few moments when Aragorn was recognized as the one they'd known so long ago--Rustovrid recognizing the song Horubi'ninarin sang to him years past; Sa'Amonri recognizing the King Aragorn on the docks and then Amonrabi recognizing him as he arrived in the palace of the Farozi. Then there are various Dunedain who realize the relationship of Benai and his people when they realize he is fluent in Adunaic, which was one of the native languages of Numenor at the time the ships of Elendil's followers were blown east to Middle Earth, including by Aragorn and Hardorn, who are the first to realize it when Benai recognizes a comment Hardorn makes in that language. The Dunedain of Gondor spoke a form of Sindarin, apparently, as Pippin recognized in ROTK; and that it had drifted from the northern version is indicated by the usage of Perian in the northern, Elven lands and Pherian in Gondor; but it appears the Dunedain of the north tended to speak adunaic, as evidenced by incorporating the royal "ar" prefix into the names of the heirs to the line of Kings. I, too, like to see Aragorn as a multifaceted individual, capable of being a devious strategist; the consummate warrior; a healer who has both trained physical and intellectual knowledge as well as psychic skills and who is capable of serving as a conduit for divine healing as well, and uses them all (or is used at times divinely) as the opportunities and needs make themselves known; a loving husband and father; a person who recognizes he must at times work with his hands; one who as he depends on herbs keeps track of the health of his garden by tending to it himself; one who loves children generally and enjoys amusing them as well as caring for his own; one who enjoys the non-judgmental love offered by animals; and so on. And I always love the idea of a strong relationship between Aragorn and those he came to care about as friends, and particularly Frodo. There is violence in this story, but I try not to make it so graphic it sickens the reader or begins to desensitize folks to the horror it embodies. Thanks so much for appreciating the story and for commenting on it. Hope all goes well with you.

Author's reply

Thank you, Dreamflower. I look forward to reading more of your stories. I've long loved your shorter stories, and look forward to more on how things go with Fredegar and company as they head for Aragorn's justice. And I am glad you appreciate the author's notes. I, too, like learning how others come to write what and how they do. Thanks so much for following this story, and hope future ones are as well accepted.

Author's reply

I'm glad you did, Raksha. For Frodo and the immigrants from Lothlorien these must have been a familiar element to hold as they integrate themselves into the society of Aman and Tol Eressea particularly.

Author's reply

Yes, I think Aragorn has a new pet that will consider itself his. Was thinking of him and his new baby as I watched ROTK with my niece last night, the blue point Siamese on one side and the tortoiseshell on the other. And there is love in the air, and Benai now has plans for the future, as well as Hardorn and Gilmorien adding to the number of Northern Dunedain indeed. I find I enjoy seeing life continue on through my stories.

Author's reply

Oh, and now you feel you have been there? That is a wonderful compliment. And am glad you appreciate the moment of communion--Frodo would have needed such moments at times to help him hang onto all of his identity, both as a resident of the island and as one who remains mortal. As for folks who find Aragorn stuffy--it's hard for me to imagine, particularly as he was one of my first literary loves. I remember reading through LOTR and thinking, when Arwen came to marry Aragorn, "Who is this chick, and why is she getting to marry MY man?" I was that possessive of him way back then, when I was only thirteen or fourteen years old. By the time I got into LOTR I'd quite lost track of Arwen, was too busy following the adventures of the others, particularly Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn, of course. Thanks so much for all the feedback, and am looking forward to more chapters of your story.

Author's reply

Yes, brothers of the spirit indeed, and the love doesn't fade when they must be separated. And am so glad you love the imagery and the symbolism of the moment as experienced in Aman. Thanks so much for all the reviews! I appreciate it so much!

Author's reply

We have to have our truly Frodo moment in here, too, don't we? And had to see Pippin's wish for Frodo come true! Am so glad you appreciate it, Dreamflower. Thank you for following this so closely.

Author's reply

Oh, am so glad you appreciate it, Kitty! After Pippin hoping somehow Frodo and Earendil might meet, I had to bring it to this, you know; and the image of Frodo and the butterflies had so haunted my imagination--had to see the experience from his point of view! And yes, Elrond deserves to know his father!

Author's reply

Had to bring the story back to Frodo, and see Pippin's wish for him fulfilled, you know; and show that encounter with Aragorn with the butterfly uniting them from his point of view, as you said. Glad you enjoyed it!

Author's reply

Yes, official bard indeed! He already sings at his own feasts, but now it will be a duty rather than just a joy! And one who was happy as a slave to an honorable family now must learn the same happiness as a paid servant to another who is honorable. I doubt Ankhrabi will continue to keep slaves himself, and that he will insist that from now on slaves must have been born into that institution to be sold within the realm; but trying to destroy it completely will indeed most likely start a revolution so I doubt he'll do a lot beyond that rather than to set a new standard by being served only by paid servants he comes to know and honor as he has seen Aragorn and Arwen doing. And with a number of those from the North who are accustomed to fighting border wars and developing broad strategies to deal with intruders to aid them, the Southern Dunedain now have the chance to set themselves free from worry about the G'bani and similar predatory tribes. Plus they now have others who can teach them more about how the other Dunedain have developed and a realm with a great and honorable Lord into which to integrate themselves--they are no longer alone. So glad you are enjoying this!

Author's reply

Perhaps one day kittens might head for Harad, but as these are only about four weeks old, they aren't yet ready to leave their mother, not for about another month. So, even though Aragorn is now carrying the white one with him, he still returns it to mommy for the moment. Wasnior is Umbari, and who knows exactly how they think or act. They aren't necessarily as logical as many other peoples are--too many different resentments toward Elendil's Dunedain to want to deal with them properly, I suspect. But those from Harad now have a better idea of what Gondor is like and the experiences others such as the Rhunim have of them. And if Ankhsarani does choose the captain of the Harthad uin Dun, she will cement ties to the far North as well as Gondor and Aragorn in particular. As for the inspiration for Ruvemir's picture, as he stated in the chapter, he'd been questioning Aragorn regarding his imaginary brothers, and in Ties of Family was one of those who came to know that Aragorn had read his mother's journal and thought of Sam and Frodo as the reincarnations of the brothers lost before their proper times of birth; and he probably got much of his inspiration just from trying to imagine what Frodo and Sam might have looked like had they been born Men instead of Hobbits. But a dream of them would have been nice, too! Thanks for being so faithful in your reviews, as they've come to mean a great deal to me.

Author's reply

Learning to appreciate freedom for one who has had a comfortable and possibly even pleasant slavery must feel impossible. I was inspired for this by Judah's steward in Ben Hur, who obviously felt every freedom and knew the love and respect of his master, a great deal of autonomy, and exercised his responsibilities well. How would such a one accept the offer of freedom from slavery? Yes, I suspect Ankhrabi will free his own slaves even if it means completely changing the entire serving staff in the place, although I suspect the one condemned to eternal slavery will find himself the only slave left in the palace. Ankhrabi will probably also begin changing laws regarding slavery, probably first insisting that only those born to the institution might remain slaves, and perhaps putting into effects laws insisting on humane treatment of those who are enslaved. Yes, Rustovrid and Ghansaret now have proof that their daughter's betrothed has her best interests and safety at heart, and more reason to welcome him as son-in-law. Aragorn wasn't born in a society where there are servants--he's more likely to see them as equals who deserve the respect they earn for doing their jobs, and wishes to honor them even when they aren't his own servants. Yes, he's quite a different sort, and far more democratic in nature, than Denethor. I suspect that Faramir rejoices in each reform Aragorn puts into place, and in time the entire realm will feel the same. And had to put kitten and hound in there, you know! Don't know about following the folk of Camaloa, but may do so in the future; right now I have a heavily bandaged nuzgul and a plot bunny demanding a drink of wine engaging my attention.