Reviews (879)

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Oh, I agree completely. Love to the folks and Jet.

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Thank you, Linda. I'm honored.

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I'm so glad you like it, Shirebound. One client I work with on occasion was methodically doing her lines of hearts one day, obviously proud of what she was producing. Certainly our clients watch us with our interminable writing and record keeping and wish to emulate us "staff." And when we appreciate their work they are so pleased! Then I found Tribbals at my elbow, letting me know she, too, does the same, and I had to let her determination to write be known.

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This was a carry over from Stirring Rings, actually. So glad you enjoyed it, my Lady. A good deal different feel from what you last wrote, I'm certain. Glad you enjoyed it. Now, to get BACK to writing Stirring Rings and the Tenant.

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I borrowed the phrase "parents-in-love" from another writer, and can't tell you now from whom, but it fit so very well. So many things can trigger memories, and am glad the incident of the gazing ball rings true for you. So, you are contemplating some training in self-defense? I hope this isn't part of why you've been a bit distracted, but believe you won't regret it. But certainly Aragorn must have felt the need to reassure some of his younger kinsmen by sharing his own experiences, as they now seek to do with Merry, Pippin, and Sam. And am so glad Elanor manages to steal the show as I'd intended; and all were ready for the end of the dreary days, I think. I know we could do with a real respite from all the rain we've known--my lawn is still soggy.

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Yes, all those who stand as parents have learned better how to deal with Merry and Pippin and Sam right now, and now feel free to ask for reassurance and advice. And of course it's a child who helps them finally shake off the dreariness and put things in proper perspective--and what better child to do it than Elanor? Thanks so for reviewing, Bodkin.

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Yes, it's strange what odd things can trigger memories at times. But at least he made it up to his mother, but made certain the new gazing ball wouldn't be confused with the palantir.

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Yes, they now have seen the document carving out this unique portion of Cardolan in Arnor for the habitation of Hobbits in particular. And Frodo-lad and young Faramir have been able to see it and will be able to tell their own children about it one day. So glad you liked it.

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Yes, a bit of Aragorn's own history slipped in here along with a realization acceptance is needed; and Elanor had to be an active part of the story--I found her stamping her golden-haired foot at me and pouting, demanding she be heard. I love giving babies raspberries, and suspect even lords among men and hobbits both would share that delight; and of course Pippin, now that the tension's broken along with the weather needs to be up and galumphing about to shake the willies out! And that rainbow was needed--the realization there is beauty to come out of this, and the rain will stop for a time till it's needed again, and that there's always hope and joy, if they're capable of reaching for it. I'd love a gazing ball, but need to get the garden into some kind of shape, first. I've had a finer crop of thistles than anything else; but as I'm not entertaining Eeyore I'm afraid I've just not appreciated them properly. Heh!

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The first year especially must have been hard at times--I certainly agree there. And almost everone I've ever known who's had a traumatic memory seems to have at least moments when it all comes back on them. But the realization that their own children will be able to know a degree of trust and pleasant anticipation of new experiences must have been reassuring to everyone who fought the Shadow; and Elanor embodies that realization, as she becomes the very first child not born among the Dunedain warriors who approaches them openly. As for the Cottons--with Bell gone and the Gaffer partially invalided with arthritis and losing his hearing, I'd truly think the Cottons would take to parenting Sam when they felt he needed it. And as I've managed to leave Nick out of my other stories, I felt I needed to give him a showing of his own. Hope he doesn't mind!

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I grew up on the remains of an old farm. The house was in the middle of the property, up on the one rise on the whole five acres, with ponds, swamps, and drainage ditches covering much of the land. The frogs will start waking usually in January for a day or two at a time, and by the time February is half through are very active. We had all varieties and sizes, from tiny tree frogs no larger than a fingernail to huge bullfrogs, and the croaks of each was quite individual. And the images the croaks can cause in that twilight time when one is not quite asleep and not quite awake can be interesting. So I tried to think of the kinds of memories such weather was likely to evoke in each of our lads, and then find an experience Aragorn himself would have been likely to have experienced that would help them accept their own attacks of the dismals weren't anywhere as unique as they might think--that even Men have their own memories that can haunt them. The description of inlaws as "father-in-love" came from someone else's story originally, but I think you know I've had all kinds of stories inspired by those told by others, as is true of all of us, I think. This is a bit of fanon I happen to like. To know they were responding to the depression appropriately was the important thing for all of them, I think; plus the realization it's not unusual or a sign of weakness. They're already learning how to deal with the memories and learning how to integrate the grief and joyful thoughts they hold toward Frodo. And they all needed a moment of literal horseplay and that rainbow, I thought. Thanks so much, Antane.

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The older generation is getting a handle on what their sons experienced (or son-in-law, in the Cottons' case), and will do what is needed to try to understand more and help rather than hinder or suffocate. It was for the children, of course, that all fought in the end; and that they see the first signs that the new generation was able to live in trust from their earliest years must have been heartening to all who fought against Sauron and his realm and focus. This generation, at least, won't need to be tested to the breaking point from infancy, and men and hobbits both could rejoice in the fearlessness of Elanor. So glad you liked it. And thank you!

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Yes, most soldiers can relate to this situation, I think. And at that moment Pippin needs a bit of silliness, and who better to be silly with than little Elanor. Thanks for reviewing.

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To be going through a fit of doldrums in part brought on by ongoing nasty weather, then to find oneself facing a gazing ball almost just the size of a palantir would have been difficult, I think. Just the name would bring back the memory of the "seeing stone," don't you agree? The parents and the Cottons are becoming more savvy about how the Travelers need one another's understanding to get through the worse times; and indeed now, as all are still becoming used to not having Frodo there it is worse for all of them. Glad you agree they need the insight of the Rangers. The Rangers of Arnor deserve to be trusted and approached in friendship, and so Elanor starts with Berevrion. I'm certain he appreciated it. Thanks so for the response.

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I'm glad I helped make this clearer, Linda. After all, the four Travellers did forge ties to the outside, with folk alongside whom they fought and hoped and labored; and I doubt those relationships would have been allowed to languish. And I love giving more emphasis to Aragorn's own kindred, who remain so anonymous in the books, save for Halbarad himself.

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Aragorn comments in a both The King's Commission and Lesser Rings he must balance the griefs with the joys, IIRC; and he admits to Frodo and Sam he has his own memories and nightmares to fight in The Acceptable Sacrifice. Now they have the details of one of these memories, at least, and are able to better put their own experience with memories and their triggers into perspective. No, those weren't the ones arguing about how to cook dwarves and hobbits, for Eregiel is still in his twenties, after all. No, some unknown trolls, I fear. But I suspect trolls will grumble and argue among themselves solely because they are trolls, much as orcs will openly fight and kill one another because killing is part of their nature. Glad it raised a grin. Have a good week.

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Yes, Paladin, Eglantine, Esmeralda, and Saradoc are now all on the same page, and recognize that now and then Merry needs Pippin and vice versa, while the Cottons are realizing the same for Sam. And to know that they aren't the only ones, and that Aragorn has his own triggers for the worst memories, is heartening. They know they aren't unique, that this is in its way normal, and can be effectively endured. Am so glad you like how Elanor approached Berevrion. She's not been raised to be afraid, and won't be needlessly so ever, I think Thanks so much for the response.

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Thank you, Cookiefleck. I like considering what the various folk would have gone through in the aftermath of that great and cataclysmic war. Am so glad you find them interesting! Thanks again.

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It's the anniversary of when the war was raging. Merry became ill during the anniversary of their abortive attempt on Caradhras and their journey through Moria, and it's now three years since they parted near the Gap of Rohan, while Sam is remembering that horrid journey through the swamps and then the blasted lands outside and inside Mordor. To learn each other participant in the long battle against Sauron and his folk has his own cross of memories to bear assists them to realize they aren't alone, and increases their appreciation for what others accomplished and hopefully for what they themselves accomplished as well. And they certainly deserve that rainbow!

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Facing the horrors of war would leave them all scarred, each in his own way; and knowing they weren't the only ones must have helped Merry, Pippin, and Sam. As for Elanor--I had to make the Queen's future maid in waiting show her own mettle here! Heh!

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Yes, that chapter definitely sparked this addition. And at least some within the Shire should appreciate how the requirement was the extension of a serendipitous moment way back before the Shire was even founded, and custom gained the force of law as it did. And although Bartolo's not likely to learn the reason behind the laughs for years yet, if at all, there are a few in the legal community within the Shire who will appreciate it. So glad you enjoyed it.

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Yes--decided to do a second collection of stories where Aragorn's more likely to appear, although he won't always be the main fellow. And that chapter in Stirring Rings was begging for this, I found. Thanks!

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Well, of course, Grumpy! And in this case the tradition became the required, of course! Heh!

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Yes, that last chapter to "Stirring Rings" sparked this one. And someone ought to appreciate the joke! Heh! Certainly Bartolo won't. So glad you liked it, and hope your mother does better.

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Well, Sam WAS educated alongside Frodo by Bilbo, after all. Of course he'd figure it out! And all three of them would enjoy the joke, I think! As for Sam recognizing Marcho and Blanco were Took ancestors, well again, of course. You are right--smart, wise Samwise Gamgee, who as Aragorn noted ought to have been better named "Full-wise." And so glad you like this collection's name. Worked for two hours on the second offering for this collection to realize after the fact that the laptop decided to swallow it while I was checking dates in "The King's Commission." Gaack!