Middle-earth Express Prompts by Misty
harrowcat · 27 August 2006 · Chapter 27: Duty and Life - Faramir
From such a harsh, (well mostly,) child-hood comes such a wonderful man. Sorry that it has taken a while to stop in and comment. RL has meant that I have been reading but it is taking time to catch up with reviews.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review. Faramir is one of my favorite characters, and I do think it is amazing that he grew into such a noble man given his background.
harrowcat · 21 August 2006 · Chapter 26: The Return - Strider and Edric (OC)
Now that leaves me with a deep sigh of satisfaction. What a lovely follow up.
Author's reply
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I felt I had to give Edric some answers to the mystery that had been left in Strider's wake, so that's what this story was about. I couldn't just leave him wondering for his entire life, now could I? :)
RS · 21 August 2006 · Chapter 26: The Return - Strider and Edric (OC)
Beatiful! A truly beautiful story. I loved it so much that I printed it and also "The Stranger" so I can read them over and over. Thanks.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed them both so much. :) I certainly enjoyed writing them. Thank you for the reviews.
meckinock · 20 August 2006 · Chapter 26: The Return - Strider and Edric (OC)
Oh, I am so glad you wrote this. It bookends the other story perfectly. I loved the contrast between the pageantry of the royal entourage's passage and the comfortable familiarity of Aragorn's entry to Edric's establishment. What a great entrance. The rapport between these two is wonderful - Aragorn is clearly enjoying himself. Loved it when the guards and Arwen had to track him down, and I loved the suggestion that this is not an unusual occurence. I felt so happy for both Edric and Aragorn here. This is a story guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face who reads it.
Author's reply
I'm glad people asked for a sequel and prompted me to write it. This story came out better than I was expecting. I did like writing Strider and Edric meeting again and becoming friends so quickly. Yes, I'm sure Aragorn was enjoying himself quite a bit, not having to be the king in their encounter. As for the guards and Arwen, I didn't think the guards would have been too happy when the king disappeared, so Arwen had to take them to Aragorn just to relieve their minds. :) I do love putting a smile on other people's faces. :)
Dreamflower · 20 August 2006 · Chapter 26: The Return - Strider and Edric (OC)
I am grinning all over my face dear! How lovely that Edric was able to meet Strider once more, to enjoy his friendship for a while, before he had to find out that it was his King. I am so glad for the way all turned out, and that Edric can now know that he has a true friend in the King!
Author's reply
I think it was definitely a good thing that Edric got to talk with Strider before finding out that Strider and King Elessar were one and the same. He would not have been nearly so open with the king, and they would not have formed such a close friendship so quickly. I'm quite happy that I was able to bring a smile to your face with this story.
harrowcat · 12 August 2006 · Chapter 25: Alone - Smeagol
Ooh you really made me feel for Smeagol in just a few short words. The sense of him losing himself is strong and hurts a lot! It makes me send up a prayer for addicts everywhere.
Author's reply
You know, when I was writing it, I didn't even think of the parallel to addicts. But yes, that is a good analogy. Smeagol ended up giving up everything and turning his back on everything he had ever known in his obsession with the ring. I'm glad to know that the emotions touched you in this way. Thanks.
harrowcat · 7 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
Aw Misty - this one is going on my favourites list immediately. It is a real gem of descriptive writing and a warning to us all about judging on appearance and preconceived ideas.
Author's reply
Thanks! I think that description is something I need to work on a little bit sometimes, and was very careful to put in more visual description in this story, since the entire premise was based on first impressions and appearances. I think Edric learned very quickly that those appearances don't tell the whole story at all.
meckinock · 4 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
I love Aragorn's transformation through Edric's eyes from the archetypal stranger your mother warns you about to a gentle, kindly man with a friendly smile. A really nice portrayal of both characters, and an accurate observation of human nature. Edric is a very likeable and well-drawn character, and the setting felt very lived-in also.
Author's reply
Thanks. I enjoyed writing this story, and am glad you appreciated it so much. Edric ended up changing his opinion of Strider at every turn whenever the man did something unexpected, and was left wondering just who this stranger was. Thanks for the review.
RS · 3 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
Wonderful, Beautiful! Just makes Strider more of an enigma. So mysterious. And more appealing!
Author's reply
I'm sure he definitely left Edric wondering! I think he was more a mystery when he left than when he entered, as Edric was so sure at first that he knew what Strider was, but was left thinking he didn't have a clue as to who the man was. ;-) Thanks.
Amy · 3 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
How true that a smile can change perceptions, and that a bowl of mother's stew is always a welcome gift. I imagine that, decades later, Edric is in this town, prob. running the tavern, when the King returns to the north. I love Aragorn recognition fics! Thanks so much for sharing this story.
Author's reply
Yes, a smile can change all your perceptions about someone, and Edric did what he could to help the stranger in return for helping him. I do like the idea of Edric meeting King Elessar sometime in the later years. I'll have to think about doing a story like that. :)
Fire · 3 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
This story makes it very clear indeed that you should never judge a book by its cover. Looks can be so deciving.
Author's reply
So true. Edric found out very quickly that his first thoughts of the man were not the truth. A man who was the evil assassin he first thought would never have stooped to help him clean up the mess. I doubt that Edric will be so quick to make assumptions about anyone else he meets again.
shirebound · 3 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
I enjoyed this scene very much. Edric is such a discerning lad! A rare glimpse of that noble and weary man who lurks beneath such a grim exterior.
Author's reply
Yes, Edric showed a great deal of maturity in being able to look past the surface appearance and see a little of the man that Aragorn truly is.
lwarren · 2 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
I like the way you take Edric's reactions to Strider from one extreme to the other - from fear and trembling and suspicion of the dread 'assassin' to the gradual realizations that this was 1)a weary traveler who 2)needed that sword to protect him from the dangers of the road and 3)had a smile that softened his grim appearance and showed he was really a nice guy after all! Giving Strider the stew (Edric is a good kid!) in appreciation of his help was a nice touch, as was the coin (worth more than the stew itself) left by the appreciative Ranger! I like reading about ordinary people's reactions to the presence of the Rangers - they must have been scary, mysterious creatures in the eyes of the simple citizens of any village. Great! Linda
Author's reply
Thanks. I think a lot of people would have jumped to conclusions about the Rangers based on their appearances and the stories that surely circulated about them. Edric was able to look past those appearances based on Aragorn's smile and see at least a glimpse of who he really was. When he thought that Aragorn might be just a tired, poor traveler, he did what he could in trying to help him with the stew. I think he was quite surprised when Strider left the coin. This was a fun story to write.
Dreamflower · 2 August 2006 · Chapter 24: The Stranger - Strider and Edric (OC)
Very nice! I am quite sure that is just exactly the first impression Strider must have given many people. At least Edric was able to learn that maybe first impressions are not always the best! Good job!
Author's reply
Thanks. I do think that Edric at least learned not to jump to any conclusions about the strangers he meets. He was still left wondering who Strider was when he left the inn, but at least he didn't think he had him all figured out anymore. :)
daw the minstrel · 26 July 2006 · Chapter 23: Reprieve - Denethor and family
What a nice moment for Denethor. Finduilas was good for him. He's lucky she didn't make him start taking his clothes off!
Author's reply
I do think his wife would have been one of the very few people who could get through to him and help him to relax enough to just be himself. But I don't think even she would have pushed him to do more than he was comfortable doing. ;-) Thanks for the review.
harrowcat · 26 July 2006 · Chapter 23: Reprieve - Denethor and family
Oh it is nice to see a human Denethor - able to play with his children and relax for a bit. And please, please, please pass me that fountain. I am stuck in a little bed-sit and it is unbearable here even at six in the morning.
Author's reply
Here. *hands over portable, blow up wading pool* Sorry, I thought the stone masonry of the Minas Tirith fountains might be a bit too heavy to send over. Will that help? ;-) I'm glad you liked the story. I was trying to write a sympathtic Denethor... a side of him that people don't see often. I think he probably did have more of an ability to relax while his wife was still around and his children were young.
Linda Hoyland · 20 July 2006 · Chapter 22: Home Again - Aragorn
This was very touching.I often wondered if Aragorn returned to Rivendell and how he would feel.Have you thought of writing a companion piece from Arwen's POV?
Author's reply
Thanks. I hadn't thought of writing one from Arwen's POV. I'll think about it and see if I can come up with something. I have a feeling that it would be an even sadder piece, though. Aragorn knew all along that he would be parted from Elrond, Arwen did not. I think it would be much harder on her.