shirebound
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
This is a wonderful premise, and a lovely story. My uncle was a sculptor of wood and stone, and he used to say that he let the material 'tell' him what they wanted to become. You capture the essence of that so beautifully. And in Middle-earth, I suspect that even stone would be sentient and in need of purpose, in its own way.
Author's reply
Part of the inspiration for this was a tale written for Imhiriel's birthday at the same time I wrote the story from the POV of the throne of Gondor in which one of the building stones from ruined Annúminas mourned that it no longer formed part of the Citadel there. I thought of it when describing the King's Retreat in "The First Snowfall of the Year," and was able to do more with it here. And these stones had graced the halls of those with the strongest Dúnedain blood within Middle Earth for millenia--shouldn't they wish to return to that calling once more?
Am so glad you appear to find this believable. Thank you so, Shirebound!
6336
· 8 April 2009
· Chapter 50: Renewal Embodied
Good to see Aragorn and his people are into recycling!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Well, definitely his people are into it! And for any statue touched by Ruvemir I'd expect nothing but excellence. Thank you so, Lynda!
Linda Hoyland
· 31 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
It would be good indeed if the glory of Moria was restored.
Author's reply
Oh, but I do agree, Linda! Thanks so much!
Linda Hoyland
· 31 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
A beautiful vision of post war Ithilien reminding me of a favourite Bible passage which you refer to.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you appreciated the Biblical theme here. I do think that Aragorn and Faramir both would have appreciated that particular verse, don't you?
Thanks, Linda!
Celeritas
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
It is implied (if not actually outright stated; I can't quite remember) in canon that Moria does at last get revived for a last bout of glory. Considering the decline of the Dwarves I can quite believe that it wouldn't happen too long after the War of the Ring. Very nice!
Author's reply
Thank you, Celeritas. Yes, one small bit of glory before Dwarves slipped out of sight! Thank you.
Andrea
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
“Let us not be remembered by Men only for those cities of our peoples we abandoned, but more for those we restored.”
A worthy thought indeed!
A renewal to restore and preserve, knowing that their work will still be there when they are long gone! A great legacy, and somehow very fitting for dwarves.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you agree, Andrea. Thank you so.
Antane
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
Worthy thought indeed! I love the hope and optimism of that young dwarf. May it never fade.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Thanks so, Antane. Indeed a plan to consider, and a dwarf to respect.
6336
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
Out of the mouths of babes!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Or at least of young Dwarves! Heh!
Thanks, Lynda.
shirebound
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
“Let us not be remembered by Men only for those cities of our peoples we abandoned, but more for those we restored.”
That's very inspiring. And there is always hope for better days.
Author's reply
Yes, hope has come for Dwarves as it has for Men and for Middle Earth as well.
Thanks so, Shirebound.
Cairistiona
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
Very worthy goal for a young dwarf in the dwindling days of his race. I liked this very much.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, Cairistiona. Thanks so--am glad you do!
Kitty
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
Hm ... somehow that young one is right - better to be remembered by their glory than by the ruins. And with the Balrog gone and the Orcs hopefully decimated to a number they can handle, it might be worth a try. But I understand very well why Gimli is uncomfortable with the thought!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed so, Kitty. I find I myself appreciate both the thoughts of the young dwarf and Gimli's. But there is a chance that the work could be managed now.
Fiondil
· 24 March 2009
· Chapter 49: A Proposal of Renewal
Yes, let us Men remember the Dwarves for the glory of their achievements rather than for the destruction of their dreams. May we be remembered for the same someday. A very worthy project, indeed. And a happy birthday to Agape. *grin*
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so, Fiondil. May we indeed be remembered similarly. I do think this is how the Dwarves would prefer to be remembered.
Hope you have an interesting journey for the next week.
And thanks so for the comments on my drabbles. It's been an interesting challenge to find ways to respond to each one.
grumpy
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 47: No Longer Merely a King
This is something for Aragorn, a life, so small all his own, plus a new name in the bagain.
Author's reply
Yes, a new title/name for the Man who already has so many! But this time it's one he can share with the majority of Men within his kingdom! Heh!
Thanks so, Grumpy.
Inzilbeth
· 21 March 2009
· Chapter 47: No Longer Merely a King
Oh that was just wonderful! And how brilliantly you pieced together all the previous jobs.
Author's reply
Thanks so, Inzilbeth. Am so glad you enjoyed it!
Kitty
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
That's just lovely, to see Ithilien back to its former glory as a garden and to know that a former Ranger has found a new purpose, one more peaceful than the former one. It must be great for Aragorn and Faramir to see that.
Author's reply
Oh, indeed, Kitty. The scars of years of misuse by the orcs of Mordor being healed, and its people turning from war to farming! This was what Aragorn and Faramir were fighting for!
Celeritas
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
worthwhile to trade his sword and bow for pruning hooks and bushel baskets This brought to mind some of the Biblical prophecies about paradise. What fitting imagery for the renewal of the land after such times of war.
Author's reply
Yes, I found my mind turning there, too. And it was what they were fighting for, after all! Thanks so, Celeritas.
Antane
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
Lovely to think of the peace and fruitfulness after the desolation that could have been. I hope somehow Aragorn can share that with his little brother far away and the two rejoice together.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I love the idea that Aragorn would wish to share the pleasure at seeing Ithilien blooming again with Frodo! How wonderful a thought! I'll have to think on that one.
Hanyatel!
6336
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
From the ashes new life shall be woken!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
I keep remembering Sam seeing the one firepit in which he saw human bones, and how already the clematis vines were covering it. If all of Ithilien's scars were surrounded by new life....
Anyway, thank you so, Lynda!
Cairistiona
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
Yay! Aragorn getting his peaches again... I don't know why I'm so stuck on him liking peaches but I'm always tickled when I run across another fic showing him enjoying that fruit. This was a lovely glimpse of life picking itself up again after the War. I liked the detail about the orchardist's background, and the details about the setting made me feel I was walking along with them, hearing the bees buzz and smelling the peaches and sensing nothing but peace. Ahh. Very nice.
Author's reply
You like the thought of him enjoying peaches? Wonderful! I just thought that peach trees ought to do well in that area. And I'm so glad I was obviously able to suggest the feeling of the orchard and growing village on that pleasant summer day! Thank you!
Dreamflower
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
What a lovely word-picture of the garden of Gondor once more! It must have been delightful.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, Dreamflower--the garden of Gondor does indeed begin to bloom anew! Delightful indeed!
Thanks so!
shirebound
· 20 March 2009
· Chapter 48: From the Ashes...
"Contented trees"... how lovely.
Once he’d been a Ranger of Ithilien; now he cared for its land in another way.
This is so joyous and hopeful.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you found it done properly. Yes, indeed joyous and hopeful! Thank you so!
Celeritas
· 19 March 2009
· Chapter 46: For the Sake of Friendship
This little tale, IMO, was most affecting at the end, as Legolas actually felt himself beginning to fade: the hand feeling transparent actually made me shiver. And as always, Gimli's gruff sense of humor helps them both move on and through this grief to the last stage of their lives.
Author's reply
I am so glad it appears to have moved you so, Celeritas. The time is past for most of the great Elves to leave Middle Earth, and he has seen so much change, has lost so many not only of his own folk but mortals as well. He's been fighting the Sea Longing for more than a century; his truest Mannish friend has just left the Circles of the World; only Gimli remains with him of the Fellowship.
And if anyone could drag a reluctant smile or laugh from him at that time, it would have to be Gimli!
Thanks so for all the feedback.
Celeritas
· 19 March 2009
· Chapter 47: No Longer Merely a King
*squees* It was the word "daddy" that really did it. Excuse me while I attempt to resolidify my heart which has melted into a puddle of "awww."
Author's reply
As people keep pointing out, any man might father a child; it takes someone special indeed to be a good daddy. And if anyone deserves to be rejoiced over as a superb daddy, it would be Aragorn! Heh!
Andrea
· 18 March 2009
· Chapter 47: No Longer Merely a King
How wonderful!
Being a daddy is doubtless the most important role in a man's life. And holding his son or daughter for the very first time is the happiest moment in his life.
Anything else is unimportant at that moment.
Author's reply
You are certainly right about that, Andrea. Thank you!
Antane
· 18 March 2009
· Chapter 47: No Longer Merely a King
The toughest job you'll ever love as the saying goes. No longer merely king but something much grander. Cool! Love his excitement.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you agree. And in Aragorn's case I do believe it was a role he particularly cherished. Thanks so!