Fairy Tales of Middle-Earth by DrummerWench
Larner · 16 March 2008 · Chapter 13: The Troll Bridge
Ah, how refreshing! Greed kills the troll and betrays the orc! Very nice!
Author's reply
Yep! I couldn't let the orc profit from her little scheme, now could I? Thanks for stopping to comment, Larner!
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 12: The Seeing Stones
Ah, another lovely, beautiful retelling with such an Arda-ish twist to it! And loved seeing Arwen, her mother, and her grandmother as well as her brothers there.
Author's reply
Hi, Larner! Thanks so much for stopping to review! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and that you liked my depiction of Arwen, et al. It did amuse me, too!
galimeril · 5 September 2007 · Chapter 11: Day-Bright and Night-Dark
Ahhh, that was beautiful! I hope you write more!
Author's reply
Thanks for commenting! I do have another one coming down the pike--a Mannish tale that starts in Gondor.
Larner · 2 September 2007 · Chapter 11: Day-Bright and Night-Dark
Ah, how wonderful, and how it fits with Pearl Took's stories. And such a proper fairy tale it is as well. Thank you!
Author's reply
No, no, Thank /you/! Hmm, shall have to check out Pearl's tales, as well. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Dreamflower · 1 September 2007 · Chapter 11: Day-Bright and Night-Dark
What a wonderful blend of Arda and RL fairy tales! Their quest is so very reminiscent of the tale of Beren and Luthien, yet with some major hobbity differences. And what a clever explanation of the "Took fairy wife"!
Author's reply
Thanks, Dreamflower! It's a big tossed green tales salad--a little bit of this tale, a little of that and voila! I'm glad you liked it--and the Fairy Wife part, too.
Selene Aduial · 1 January 2007 · Chapter 10: The Heart of the Mountain
so that's how the Arkenstone came to be. A great tale and so well written.
Author's reply
Thank you, Selene! Thanks for stopping to read and comment. I'm happy you liked it! DrummerWench
Bodkin · 31 December 2006 · Chapter 10: The Heart of the Mountain
Lovely tale, beautifully reworked to fit the dwarves.
Author's reply
Hi, Bodkin - Thanks for commenting - I'm glad it works, and that you like it! DW
eiluj · 30 December 2006 · Chapter 10: The Heart of the Mountain
King Solomon and the Arkenstone ... very nice! (And the magic is entirely believable.)
Author's reply
Hi, eiluj! I'm glad you liked it, and that the magic works! I figured people would recognize the Solomonic decision. DW
Larner · 30 December 2006 · Chapter 10: The Heart of the Mountain
Oh, how wonderful to learn how the Heart of the Mountain, the Arkenstone, came to be. Very nice indeed.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Again, thanks for stopping by to read and comment. DW
Larner · 30 December 2006 · Chapter 9: The Wooden Boy
Oh, how wonderful a story. Far more than Pinnochio, and two deserving adults find the son they so dearly desired, and the child the love he deserves.
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner, for reading and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it! DrummerWench
Lady Bluejay · 28 December 2006 · Chapter 8: The Swans
I only had time to read one today - so it had to be this one. Wonderful. I will probably be asking permission to use it in one of my stories!! LBJ
Author's reply
Hi, LBJ - Thanks for stopping by--if you're doing E/L fics, this would be the one to read! Yes, of course, you may refer to this tale in your story; if you do, just credit me for it. DrummerWench P.S. I thought I had replied to this before, then I looked, and it wasn't there. Did you get two reply notes from me?
perelleth · 10 November 2006 · Chapter 6: The Lady in the Water
Boy, this was fantatic! So the river was not so willing to allow its child go and marry Bombadil after all! I loved the classic theme of the good hearted girl helping the forest creatures and being helped in turn, hobbit-style. It fitted perfectly. Each of these is an even more amazing jewell, and you must be having a great time indeed, searching for tales that can be fixed into middle-earth! Congratulations again.
Author's reply
Hi, perelleth! Thank you again for returning to comment on my tales. The "helpful animals" is a pretty common fairy tale theme, and just seemed to fit when I started a tale for the Shire! I don't, you know, actually go looking for real-world tales. I've read so many, in various versions, that when I start off with a setting in Middle-Earth, the tale finds me! DW
perelleth · 5 October 2006 · Chapter 5: The Bear
Awwww! how fitting an origin for Beorn and the Beornids! YOur skill at story telling never ceases to amaze me, and I am always delighted to see how many well-known tales of old fit so naturally into Tolkien's world. A sheer delight. One thing I really liked here was this: When she taught me to talk, I gained also some of the long sight of the Elves. I like what it suggests, not strictly magic but a deeper way of aprehending reality, through the inner, deep meaning of words that somehow helps them "see" the future. A wonderful tip.
Author's reply
Hi, perelleth! Thank you for your welcome comments! I'm so glad you liked it! The well-known elements from traditional fairy tales seem to work just as well in Middle-Earth settings. The "magic", though has to be pretty subtle to work, I think. Hence the foresight, which I think of as sort of Chess Grand Master like, with only a little magic "telling the future" mixed in. DrummerWench
perelleth · 22 September 2006 · Chapter 4: Birds and Feathers
How beautiful! It reminds me of a myth found around the world in many tribes, of people turning into birds, and remianing captured in there, enslaved by the thrill of flying! Thankfully the elf knew better! IT is wonderfully told and very peaceful, despite the dire stiuation. I loved the image of Falcon passing word of his plight. I thought they would bring Radagast to the rescue but this was better. Lovely!
Author's reply
Hi, perelleth! I'm not sure Radagast could have done much, anyway. He never struck me as being as aggressive as Gandalf. Anyway, to risk jumping off a cliff even in despair requires great courage. Don't know that /I/ would have it. Thanks again for your comments! DW
perelleth · 15 September 2006 · Chapter 3: Cloak Ties
Ah, but a delightful pastiche. They look lovely, brave and resourceful BAnur and hard working and loving Ghuran. I liked the detail taht Banur would send the knocked out rohirrim home on his steed. A nice touch, even if the Rohirrim did not look kindly upon the Pukhel-men... Lovely.
Author's reply
Thank you, perelleth! In a way, the Druedain are more "civilized" than the Rohirrim. They just have a lower-key way of life. DrummerWench
perelleth · 13 September 2006 · Chapter 2: Spiderwebs
I'm taking these drop by drop...! It's been so long since I last read a fairy tale, but I used to read a lot of these as a child...and I'm delighted to find again the style, and the rythm and the subtle ways of saying things. I love it, and also bow to your skill, for I am aware that it must be difficult to maintain! I loved the detail of the web smith! I loved imagining the beautiful things she woud craft with such material. And also the thought that once the spider webs were useful and the spiders not enemies. Very Tolkiensque detail, to show how things were before they were corrupted by hthe sadow in Dol Guldur! There is another thing that caught my eye particulary, because it has to do with my own views and the things that interest me: but others were naught similar, seeming to the Forest Elves haughty and cold. Therefore, they shunned them, and left them to their own devices. I love how you manage to convey the coldness towards a foreigner in such a short sentence. And of course, I loved all the process of finding Thranduil's Queen (and the subtle irony that she would be one of the haughty and cold!)Congratulations again.
Author's reply
perelleth, somehow I missed this review earlier. Thank you so much for your enthusiastic words - I really appreciate it. At first, you know, I thought the web-smith would wind up with the king, but it didn't work out that way, somehow. It's funny how the characters just put their feet down and do what they want, instead of what you thought they should have! DW
perelleth · 12 September 2006 · Chapter 1: The Sorceress
And this is why it is so dangerous for mortals to seek the company of the elves and to enter the Golden Wood. It seems to me that you are unveiling the subconscious substance of Tolkien's tale. Not that we did not know, but it is one thing to "know" it and other, much more enjoyable, to experience it in such a perfect way. Congratulations again, I am enjoying myself thoroughly with this treat.
Author's reply
Now I'm blushing, perelleth. I feel I've been handed a big bouquet of flowers! DW
perelleth · 12 September 2006 · Chapter 9: The Wooden Boy
This is wonderful! I ran into this by chance when you posted about the swans and was much in a hurry, so I did not leave a review. Congratulations, this is a most lovely idea, very well thought and each come out with the perfect mix of Tolkien and well known fairy tales. This one with the elves playing tricks on the Men fits perfectly with the Elves we get to see in The Hobbit, I think. Delightful. Oh, and I love the prologue! I so can see Sam doing this! ;-)
Author's reply
Thank you, perelleth! I do try to bridge the gap between the Elves of the Hobbit and those of LOTR, and those of our fairy traditions. Thanks for commenting on the prologue, too - it popped into my head as a whole one day... DW
Calenlass Greenleaf · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 9: The Wooden Boy
One word: Beautiful.
Author's reply
Two words: Thank you! DW
Mum's the Word · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 0: Sam's Book of Tales
Oh, this is a lovely and fitting introduction to the fairy tales! I enjoyed reading this "little 'ahem' at the beginning" as much as the stories themselves. Blessings, Mum
Author's reply
*wonders, you know, if someone's been reading "Now We Are Six" (by A.A. Milne), which has an "er-h'r'm" at the beginning, as well* I'm glad you liked it. DW
Mum's the Word · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 9: The Wooden Boy
I just love your fairy tales! Each one seems better than the last, and I must admit that this one will remain one of my favorites. I love how you've combined aspects of various children's tales, Tolkien writings, and your own lively imagination to create these wonderful stories. They're worthy introductions to the Tolkien legendarium for very young children. Thank you for giving us these tales. I look forward to reading more. Blessings, Mum
Author's reply
Thanks for your comments and your blessings, Mum. I was unsure about this one, but it seems to be working. Sometimes I can't tell until I've let go of it for a while. I'm about caught up with what I've already written, so updates may be a little slower. I do have some more story-seeds (Elves, Dwarves, Ents, Men...), but who knows when or how they'll grow. DW
Dreamflower · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 9: The Wooden Boy
What a lovely version of "Pinocchio"! Actually, it really is rather plausible, in a way. A very good use of the ambiguous sorts of magic used in Middle-earth--the River of Forgetfulness, the Elves able to sing an enchantment of sleep--but no spells cast to actually turn a wooden toy into a real child! I like this version better, really, for one who was neglected and made to suffer was put into a situation where he could find love and care! Very well done!
Author's reply
Hi, Dreamflower Thank you! Yes, I try to keep the "magic" to what Tolkien showed, or something similar. No flashy pyrotechnics here. "Elf-magic" seems to be more about sensations and appearances, not powerful battle-magic, say. DW
vampfan30 · 11 September 2006 · Chapter 9: The Wooden Boy
a sweet rewrite of Pinnocho (bad speller, but, you know who I'm talking about) & also a bit of Santa in there, too. As usual, it's inventive! :)
Author's reply
Thanks, as always, for your comments, vampfan! Hmm, wasn't thinking Santa, at least, not /conciously/! Who knows what the subconcious gets up to... DW
Larner · 23 August 2006 · Chapter 3: Cloak Ties
Yes, indeed the faithful stone! And a wonderful tale to tell and hear.
Author's reply
"The Faithful Stone" is one of my favorite little stories: as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. DW
Larner · 23 August 2006 · Chapter 2: Spiderwebs
Oh, a lovely tale indeed, and a proper one for Thranduil's realm. Not Shelob these, but Arachne the Weaver.
Author's reply
Thank you! Yes, the spiders need not be inherently evil, and the Elves can work their "magic" on many humble objects. DW