cookiefleck · 28 April 2007 · Chapter 20: Plain Delight (Samwise, Rosie)
Nice little snapshot, and I am glad Rosie was baking his favorite. :o)
Branwyn's Bric-à-Brac by Branwyn
Reviews (94)
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 20: Plain Delight (Samwise, Rosie)
Very hobbity and typical of Samwise. Good choice of descriptive, evocative words; you made my mouth water for the cherry pie.
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 30: The Horses of Eorl (Radagast, Eomer)
Yay, the horsies were saved, at least some of them! Radagast the Brown, Horse Whisperer - I can believe it. A feelgood vignette; the horses certainly deserved it, and so did I for suffering through that last piece!
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 29: Blackest Fate (OCs )
Waaaahhhh! The poor horsies! So sad, but beautifully written. Gonna go and hug my own little furry quadruped, even though she's canine, not equine.
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 28: Salt Caravan (Boromir)
Oh, don't leave us there! Sequel! Sequel! That is Not!Dead!Boromir, right? Whoever it is, I want to know more about him, where he is going, and why...
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 27: Honey (Beorn, OC)
Beorning s-e-x! An interesting addition to Tolkienverse erotica, well-told and convincing.
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 26: Swimming Lesson (Imrahil, Boromir, Faramir)
I can just see little Faramir screaming happily in the water, proclaiming that he is a seal. Lovely vignette - I would really like to be there!
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 24: The Sharpest Vinegar (Lobelia Sackville-Baggins)
I always thought Lobelia a great hobbit character; and you bring out her inner strength here in a way that is funny as well as touching.
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 23: Burning Your Bridges (Faramir)
Ooh, a battle-poem! I love it! Tough warrior Faramir is always a treat, and seen via a poetic narrative which conveys the danger and suspense of that battle, he really shines here. I love it that Faramir is the one in charge of blowing up the bridge. Yes, I really love this piece, in case I haven't made it clear enough! Hooray for the Captains of Gondor!
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 22: Area of Study (Radagast)
I think you've captured the essence of the mysterious Radagast the Brown here. Saruman was the fool, and Radagast quietly wise, as is obvious here.
Raksha The Demon · 27 April 2007 · Chapter 21: Full Complement (Faramir)
Excellent use of "complement" and "compliment"! And of course, this gapfiller tore at my heart, for the men were so brave, and obviously (and correctly) held Faramir in high regard.
Linda Hoyland · 8 January 2007 · Chapter 12: The Waves' Song (Arwen)
This is very sad and moving,you capture poor Arwen's desolation beautifully.
Raksha The Demon · 8 January 2007 · Chapter 2: Current (Aragorn)
All in all, it's a darned shame that the Eagles couldn't have given the Fellowship a lift to Minas Tirith! Rauros, Golden Rauros was certainly a fateful landmark for our heroes, especially for poor Boromir.
Raksha The Demon · 8 January 2007 · Chapter 14: Too Many Adverbs (Boromir, OC)
Teaching the complexities of grammar to young Boromir - what a thankless task! At least the teacher seems to be imaginative, empathic, and has a sense of humor - all essentials when trying to interest this particular youngster in details he's too impatient to learn. Amusing and quite credible.
Raksha The Demon · 8 January 2007 · Chapter 5: The Beacon of Erelas (OC)
I can see why the young soldier would think he was being given a thankless chore, but it is so neccessary, and indicative of the need not to waste Gondor's men. A good look at a lonely, but important task.
Raksha The Demon · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 16: Hook, Line, and Sinker (Deagol)
The hunter is about to become the hunted, or at least the attacked and slaughtered. Excellent descriptions of the natural beauty (ironic for such a fateful moment).
Author's reply
Tolkien says the Ring was lost in the Gladden Fields. Gladdon is the name of an iris which is also called the sword lily (hence my imagery of swordlike green leaves.) The name is an obvious wordplay by Tolkien since the Gladden fields were a place of battle. Uh, what was I rambling on about, anyway? :-) Thanks for your kind words!
Raksha The Demon · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Reading the Signs (Faramir)
Excellent metaphor for Faramir's speculations on his father's state after Boromir's death - a scout in dark places...I would imagine that Faramir always understood Denethor better than Boromir did, though possibly not completely, since Denethor was a very cool, and guarded, customer.
Author's reply
No, I don't think Faramir could read Denethor as well as he could read most people. Their relationship is charged with emotion, and I think that would limit his insight into Denethor who also would avoid being completely open with his son. I agree with you that there would be aspects of Denethor's personality that would remain a closed book to Boromir. Thanks for the kind words!
Raksha The Demon · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 13: Geometry (Faramir, Denethor)
In those first days of grief, Denethor scarcely spoke to him. During their silent meals, his father stared at the empty chair and would look away in surprise if Faramir made a sound. I've always felt that Denethor would shut Faramir out of his grief for Boromir. This was a beautifully written, and quite original, drabble, especially the comparison in Faramir's mind to geometry. I've heard that people who understand music can also understand math; so it makes sense that Faramir would sometimes think in mathematical terms/imagery.
Author's reply
I liked the idea of Faramir, even as a schoolchild, recognizing the family dynamic and using this new language of symbols, geometry, to express it. Was Faramir supposed to be musical? Thanks for your kind words!
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Stopping by Woods (Faramir, OC)
I don't think Faramir will be following Boromir's path through the snow, will he? He is still earth-bound for now - a man of Gondor, a Rohir by marriage - but he will pass into the mists soon. An good companion piece to the Boromir one.
Author's reply
No, I think he would still have too many ties to this world, though at his age, they are beginning to weaken (if he has a head of white hair, Eowyn and many of their friends are probably already dead). In the back of my mind was also the idea of the high Numenoreans being able to choose their own time of death. So Faramir feels some longing to follow Boromir and the others, but he realizes it isn't time yet. OMG, now I am depressing myself with my own writing! Glad you liked this, and thanks for the kind review.
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 18: An Unexpected Party (Thorin)
Oh dear! Good thing Tolkien never met Disney in this way. Very good thing.
Author's reply
If Thorin thought Bilbo was annoying, wait until he has to deal with this Disney lot. No, I don't think Tolkien would have approved of Disney's silly take on dwarves. Thanks for commenting!
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 17: The Lesson (Faramir)
Very true. And Faramir would see it, regret it - and do his duty anyway.
Author's reply
No, he wouldn't doubt the necessity for a minute, though he would still be grieved that so much of his education had been in the art of killing. Thanks for reviewing!
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 16: Hook, Line, and Sinker (Deagol)
Now - which one is the unwary creature? Which the hunter and which the hunted?
Author's reply
How long had the Ring been waiting in that spot? Hundreds of years? There must have been many times when people passed by that spot and left without seeing the bait at the bottom of the river. Thanks for reviewing. :-)
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 15: Reading the Signs (Faramir)
Difficult - he might have observed the signs, but what could he do about what he saw?
Author's reply
That is so true. Denethor was extremely defensive and autocratic; how could Faramir have even approached him with concerns about his mental stability? Thanks for commenting!
Bodkin · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 14: Too Many Adverbs (Boromir, OC)
Now - if only Sauron had known! The orcs could have defeated the Captain-General of Gondor with adverbs.
Author's reply
An adverb, right between the eyes--that would hurt! :-D Thanks for commenting.
Linda Hoyland · 3 January 2007 · Chapter 19: Stopping by Woods (Faramir, OC)
Evocative and beautifully written.
Author's reply
I am glad that you liked this since you have such a good grasp of his character in your own writing. Thanks for the kind words!