Reviews (166)

harrowcat · 17 February 2007 · Chapter 20: Understanding

What a lovely birthday gift. May I add my prayers and wishes to yours? Happy birthday Antane.

harrowcat · 17 February 2007 · Chapter 21: Tales of Gondor

I can just picture Sam standing up with his hands behind his back as he did when he sang his Troll song! Great Elanor.

harrowcat · 17 February 2007 · Chapter 22: Wizards

A very astute Samwise here! Wizards - judge 'em as you find 'em. Just don't try to understand 'em.

Larner · 16 February 2007 · Chapter 20: Understanding

A most difficult decision, but the right one in the end, and now the prepare for the next adventure.

Antane · 15 February 2007 · Chapter 20: Understanding

Hantanyel, dear Elanor!! *big, tight hug* What a mighty gift! I love it. :) Just about breaks the heart, especially Frodo's fear that memory of Sam would be taken from him and the awful realization of what he gave up when he left, but then the reward of having him sleeping by him once more. And more of TLD is coming too? Love it! Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :)

Queen Galadriel · 15 February 2007 · Chapter 20: Understanding

Aww, so sweet, Ellie! Just the right blend of angst and joy. The first part made me want to cry, but the end left me smiling. She'll love this, I'm sure! :) God bless, Galadriel

Arwen of Lorien · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Knots

Hannon le!! Thank you Elli! This was delightful. Hehe! Just like my brothers to not let me go with them. *looks sad* But my Naneth always knows just what to do to get the knots out of my hair - and my emotions. I do miss her!! Hehe, twas adorable, hannon le again! Hope to see you soon! God bless ~ Namarie, Arwen.

Larner · 30 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Knots

Yes, your Sindarin is correct. And mothers can work through a good deal, when the child is young--or old--enough to appreciate it. Heh!

Queen Galadriel · 29 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Knots

Awww, how sweet! I love this glimpse of one of those precious mother-daughter moments. :) What a lovely gift, and lovely portrayals! :) God bless, Galadriel

Antane · 29 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Knots

Sweet story, my dear! More would be welcome. A nice family moment and glad to see Celebrian before she had to leave. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Arwen of Lorien · 27 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

Hehe! Cool! Frodo gets lessons! *Maybe he can play the piano for the folks in latter days?! I should like to see that. Of course someone would need to send him a piano, for I don't think hobbits had those around at the time. lol* Shannon's cool! Perhaps she can teach Gondor's lady some piano too? *smiles hopefully* lol again! how was your Christmas? Mine was great! I heard you and Gold shopped for hours at Target and Borders, and got lots of stuff!! Coolness!! C U on New Years, *or maybe the night before, as I might come to help redecorate the Old Forest! God bless ~Arwen

Antane · 25 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

I'm glad he has some joy - God bless Aragorn and Shannon! I love listening to my niece play - she is too talented for words. I think she would have a kindred spirit here. I would love to hear what he is playing - I wonder if there's a way of doing that. I can imagine it in my head at least, so beautiful - the music and him! :) And Sam secretly listening - cute. More, more! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

harrowcat · 24 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

As you already read music and can cope with several notes at one time on the piano you should find the recorder quite easy. I wish I could send you my spare down the ether line! I learned the recorder in Primary school and went on to play clarinet in Secondary school. I seem to collect instruments and can get a tune out of most wind intruments - but not well enough to cope with anyone listening to me practise! *blushes and wonders whether this sounds boastful.* Unfortunately my piano playing is strictly alone and through headphones. I don't have space for a piano so I make do with a keyboard. I had lessons for a long time but only got to grade one! However, when I have time twiddling on the recorder, clarinet, piano, flute, sax or guitar is very soothing. It is just that most of my spare, and not so spare time is spent reading great fiction like yours. Happy Christmas!

Elemmírë · 23 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

I'm glad to see that you took up Queen Galadriel's suggestion and continued this piece! Music is just the thing to soothe Frodo's troubled and weary soul at the moment. What he may not be able to express verbally, perhaps he can one day express through the piano. I really love that you have Frodo rediscovering some happiness ... and kudos to Aragorn too for setting it all up. :) A dissonant sound came from the piano, and Sam and Aragorn cringed. They heard Frodo mutter something in elvish, and then start the song over again LOL! How well I remember those days from trumpet practice. One wrong note and I felt like I had to start from the beginning again too! Unfortunately I didn't have Elvish to mutter in, LOL! ~Elemmírë~ p.s. How did your own recital go?

Queen Galadriel · 23 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

Oh, thank you, mellon nin! I love it! Frodo seems to be having a much easier time than I remember having (oh, bad, bad memories there), and I'm very glad of it! Shannon is very nice. But my very favourite part is the little scene at the end with Aragorn and Sam--two who love Frodo very dearly indeed, listening as he takes pleasure in a very thoughtful gift. :) I want to play the piano now; too bad it's midnight here. :) I have a gift for you and Harrowcat in progress that I know you'll both love; I hope to get it up soon. At least before the Shire Yule (the last two days of December, I believe it is). I'm so behind on Yule/Christmas stuff! God bless, Galadriel :)

Larner · 23 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

My stepfather had trained to be a concert pianist, and focused mostly on Chopin and Beethoven. I remember when he was playing and his fingers would hit the wrong keys, we all came to cringe along with him. Interesting and joyful story.

harrowcat · 23 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

Oh! I am sorry that your muse for my story has gone on vacation. I promise she didn't turn up here - We've been fog bound for three days anyway! Not to worry, no deadlines on promise stories and I am sure it will be all the better for the waiting like most treats. Anyway this chapter is a treat in itself. I am glad that Frodo is proving better on the piano than I ever did although I am quite good on recorder too. Love the bit with Sam and Aragorn listening. Happy Yule Elanor.

shirebound · 23 December 2006 · Chapter 18: Lessons and Practice: Part Two

Perhaps you could learn a song that Pippin can sing to, and the two of you can play it for me sometime. What a lovely idea! I'd like to hear that, myself. Frodo cursing in Elvish makes me giggle. Wonder where he learned that? :D

Queen Galadriel · 16 December 2006 · Chapter 17: Music: Part One

Oh, how wonderful! You must show us where this goes sometime! Don't know if there could have been pianos in Middle-Earth or not--there was some debate on the matter at LJ recently (which I started, mwahaha :))--but whatever, I love it anyway! It makes sense that it would be a new instrument. The end was absolutely perfect! God bless, Galadriel

Antane · 16 December 2006 · Chapter 17: Music: Part One

My oldest niece has been composing her own piano music since she was 9 - incredible, lush, dramatic, longing pieces. Wonderful stuff. Glad that Frodo could have found something that would bring him some happiness and not just think of things he can't do anymore. I also echo all of Shirebound's comments about The Aftermath - Sam saying how nice it was to see Frodo smile again, that Frodo is feeling himself again. Too bad that feeling of release and back to himself won't last. :( You asked about the use of quotes in the response to another review - I would just put in the quotes without any stars or whatever around them and just say at the top of the chapter a note that some of the story is directly from the Red Book or however you want to phrase it. I find the use of stars or whatever distracting myself but that's me. If I don't talk to you, Merry Christmas! Christ is born! Glorify Him! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

harrowcat · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 17: Music: Part One

Yes, recorders etc require ten fingers but most of us play the piano or keyboard, (both the musical and computer sort!) with far fewer. Lovely snippit.

Elemmírë · 13 December 2006 · Chapter 17: Music: Part One

"Music is the universal language." I read that as a quote somewhere once. I'm glad Aragorn was able to find some way for poor Frodo to continue to play music again instead just being relegated to listening. I played the trumpet quite well for almost 10 years, when I accidentally injured my mouth/teeth and required surgery. I will never be able to play my trumpet again ... or play at the same ability I once did, so I can easily sympathize with Frodo here. Someday I hope to take the time and learn another instrument, for it seems a shame to waste such a gift. While I miss playing my music very, very much ... I do not miss my trumpet recitals. Concerts, yes--formal recitals, NO! LOL! Good luck at your recital! What piece are you performing? ~Elemmírë~ p.s. Tidbit: The modern-day piano wasn't created until around the time of Napoleon in the 1800s. Its precurser was the clavier (klavier) and also the harpsichord. The first pianos also looked different from the ones we know today. Beethoven was one of the first composers to begin writing pieces for this new instrument. If I recall correctly off the top of my head, Beethoven was also the first composer to include the piano into the orchestra, thus creating the modern-day layout of the orchestra as we know it.

Larner · 12 December 2006 · Chapter 17: Music: Part One

Oh, what a gift, although it would be difficult for Frodo to take such a thing home with him from Gondor. And it's likely he'd first be introduced to a harmonium or harpsichord rather than a piano, as both predated the piano-forte. But at least he's able to play music and accommodate for the loss of his finger.

Arwen of Lorien · 12 December 2006 · Chapter 17: Music: Part One

*smiles and tries to teach Frodo a simple duet, though we both are quite unlearned.* lol. Cute!! God bless ~Arwen

shirebound · 12 December 2006 · Chapter 17: Music: Part One

What a wonderful idea! How lovely that Pippin and Aragorn found a way to fill Frodo's life with his own music once again. Good luck at your recital! :D