Linda Hoyland · 12 April 2010 · Chapter 84: Shagrat's Welcome
I almost feel sorry for Shagrat here. No hnour amongst thieves with this lot!
Author's reply
Oh, but that is SO true, Linda! Thanks so much!
Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil by Larner
Reviews (879)
Dreamflower · 8 April 2010 · Chapter 84: Shagrat's Welcome
An all too likely welcome for him, once he'd delivered the goods and the message. Ah, well, I can't feel too sorry for Shagrat! He got off easy...what if the captain had decided they needed more information out of him? It could have been a lot worse.
Author's reply
And that is so right, Dreamflower. As Linda pointed out, there's no honor among such folk at all. And at least he has a chance to take out a few others before they take him down--if they manage, of course! Heh!
Kitty · 7 April 2010 · Chapter 84: Shagrat's Welcome
Typical Orc. One could nearly feel sorry for Shagrat - but only nearly. From his POV he did his people a great service, after all, and didn't deserve to die. Though he's still a nasty git.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree so, Kitty. I was rather surprised where the request that we write stories containing orcs led me, but I find I'm glad it did! Heh!
Kitty · 7 April 2010 · Chapter 83: Lost in the Wilderness
*grin* True, Faramir would at least take it with more patience. And he'd have been *so* delighted to get to fabled Imladris. But Boromir finally made it to a nice, comfortable, clean, dry bed anyway.
Author's reply
We hope that Faramir would have had more patience had he made that great journey, at least. And for him the visit would have been far more exciting in the end, I agree. Still, finding that comfie bed in the end must still have taken some time to reaccustom himself to such luxury! Heh! Thanks so, Kitty!
Kitty · 7 April 2010 · Chapter 82: Am I Alive?
Oh yes, after all they went through, waking up to something so nice has to raise doubts for Pippin if he's still alive or if he has died and gone on to paradise or something like that.
Author's reply
And it must have been so great a contrast to Merry's own awakening--waking to full spring almost to summer instead of grey skies and worries for those they love! Thanks so for all the reviews--they've been so welcome!
Kitty · 7 April 2010 · Chapter 81: A Choice of Life or Death
Seems typical for the richer families - thinking they always have their slaves and don't need to learn how to take care of themselves. In a world like Middle-earth was back then, that can backfire big time. This one was lucky to be found by Hobbits. And in the end it was a turn for the better for him, no doubt. I am sure these prisoners of war were given new chances and ended having a better life than they had before.
Author's reply
Oh, you are so right, Kitty! He will have reason many times, I think, to rejoice to have been found by these! Thank you so!
Kitty · 7 April 2010 · Chapter 80: Love Unrequited
Our dear Gimli has gotten it bad, no doubt. Must be quite hard to know the love of his life can't return his feelings for more than one reason. But at least he got what even Fëanor was denied, and he won her respect - that's more than many Dwarves (and probably a number of Elves) could say of themselves.
Author's reply
To have earned the respect of the Lady of the Golden Wood would be quite the accomplishment, and of more worth in the end than any number of Rings!
Kitty · 7 April 2010 · Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
Nice little ficlet about the crafting of the knives that became swords to the Hobbits and what made them so powerful that Merry could help to slay the Witch-king of Angmar with one of them. Elrond and Glorfindel and the others must have recognised them, too. Wonder what they thought?
Author's reply
I think that will be covered in my next chapter of "In Empty Lands." However, I have been finding myself torturing a certain errant King at the moment, and contemplating, along with the Witch-king of Angmar, shaping a very nasty future for him! Buahahahahaha!
Antane · 6 April 2010 · Chapter 84: Shagrat's Welcome
It struck me as interesting and intriguing last time I read the Red Book, and you bring it up also, that Shagrat would be one that could see Frodo's light. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
We know that to him Sam appeared to be a great and horrible shadow, his hand grasping the dread power he wore about his neck at the time; that he would also discern the Light of Life within Frodo just seemed likely. Even Sam, looking back, had been aware of a soft glimmer in the gloom, after all. For the orcs, how that Light must have been seen as proof of an Elvish nature! Thanks so!
harrowcat · 6 April 2010 · Chapter 84: Shagrat's Welcome
I always wondered what happened to Shagrat! And you leave the door open for him to escape back into my nightmares! Well shown.
Author's reply
You have had nightmares of the creature before? Oooh! I hate to think my stories reawaken those! Heh! Thank the individual who wanted stories of orcs....
Raksha The Demon · 6 April 2010 · Chapter 83: Lost in the Wilderness
Aw, poor Boromir! No one ever said that quests were easy! Even Faramir might not have enjoyed that night; but he'd probably be more used to the accomodations. Very realistically written! I find myself wishing that Boromir could have relaxed more in Lorien, without that darned Ring and the pressure of Galadriel's perception...
Author's reply
I suspect that you're right about Faramir probably having been equally uncomfortable on the night in question, Raksha. As for Boromir within Lothlorien--well, as was noted, what evil could be found there the one experiencing had to have brought there himself. And by the time they came there, the Ring had had much time to work on Boromir's own fears and ambitions. Thanks so much for the comments!
GamgeeFest · 4 April 2010 · Chapter 82: Am I Alive?
Pippin is able to find joy in nearly any situation.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--he is the epitome of resilience and youth! Thanks so!
Linda Hoyland · 3 April 2010 · Chapter 82: Am I Alive?
A lovely glimpse of Merry and Pippin.
Author's reply
Oh, thank you so, Linda!
Lindelea · 30 March 2010 · Chapter 81: A Choice of Life or Death
Excellent! I love the little details like the film of water on the rock (to die of thirst with water at hand! how horrid!), and the compassion, pity, and shrewdness of the hobbits in this story. Prisoners of war, indeed! One might wonder how long it will be, before they decide to throw in their lot with their captors. (Have just finished reading "Killer Angels" again, literature selection for this month in our history co-op as we finish up our study of the unCivil War, and am reminded of the prisoners from the 2nd Maine joining the 20th at the Battle of Gettysburg, though they weren't really enemy combatants, just reluctant and on the verge of desertion and mutiny.)
Author's reply
Oh, I agree--this would have to be a terrible way to die, to die of thirst and dehydration when there was water there, if he only knew how to get it. And I do think that the contrast between how Aranarth's folk and Angmar's treated prisoners would have been blatantly obvious. Am so glad you appreciated it.
Lindelea · 30 March 2010 · Chapter 82: Am I Alive?
Ah, well done indeed! I just love Cormallen pieces. So very satisfying, especially when they tug at the heart as this one does. Are you in town this week?
Author's reply
I would think that Pippin would have been amazed and rejoicing to find he was still alive after what he'd been through. Thanks so for the comments! No, coming the tenth. Call you when I get there.
GamgeeFest · 30 March 2010 · Chapter 77: Notice of Eviction
It is often the case that by the time most people realize there is something amiss, it is far to late to put a simple stop to it. That time seems to have already come and gone here; it is fortunate at least that they overheard those Ruffians’ plans for those who would resist eviction.
Author's reply
It's so hard to believe one you consider to be your own would betray you by giving your land to strangers as Lotho did. This must have been such a shock, finding their land in the power of such folk as Sharkey's ruffians! And I agree about it being fortunate hearing of the ruffian's plans, as it might have saved the lives of some of the folk in Hobbiton.
shirebound · 29 March 2010 · Chapter 81: A Choice of Life or Death
Oh my, what a fortunate meeting! Indeed, in a time of war, how do you know what rumors are true, and which are false? I'm glad the hobbits are a compassionate folk. This is a nice 'gap filler' of a time few remember. Thank you for this lovely birthday present! *hugs you*
Author's reply
Propaganda so often portrays the enemy as being immoral and evil, even when most of the enemy soldiers are little different from one's own fellows. But to learn how well he, as one from Angmar, is treated by members of the foe's forces, and to find how close he came to dying of need in the midst of sufficiency must have seemed remarkable to the point of being miraculous. And to realize the enemy is actually more humane than his own armies.... And you are so very welcome. So glad you enjoy it!
Ellynn · 29 March 2010 · Chapter 80: Love Unrequited
A little sad and bitter-sweet. But at the same time, very lovely and gentle story. I like it. :)
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you find it so, Ellynn. Thanks so for the feedback!
Linda Hoyland · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 80: Love Unrequited
A beautiful story and well deserved winner at ALEC!
Author's reply
I am so glad you feel that way, Linda. And it was nice to find it won a second. Thanks so!
Armariel · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 80: Love Unrequited
Ah, poor Gimli! Hmmm...I think I feel a poem coming on.....it's been a while! A touching little piece. Yes, it's unlikely he'll find himself a little bearded dwarf wife now. ~~~~~{~@
Author's reply
I know--poor Gimli, never to know the joys--or the travails--of marriage for himself. And I so look forward to a poem from you--I so love your poetry! Do write it--I love inspiring others to write to themes they'd not considered, too!
harrowcat · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 80: Love Unrequited
I loved this Larner. Gimli makes a strange champion for an Elvish Lady but it is in perfect keeping with the high mediaeval ideal of knights going on quest carrying their Lady's favour, often a handkerchief. I would not say that his love is totally unrequited but it is an idealised and chaste relationship and not uncompatable with Galadriel's bonded/married status.
Author's reply
Oh, I know, Harrowcat! No, the love is not unrequited, but will leave him ever chaste in that department. Thanks so very much for your comments!
curiouswombat · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 80: Love Unrequited
My husband says Gimli/Galadriel is his One True Pair...
Author's reply
He does, does he? Then we agree! Give him a hug tonight for me, then. And thanks!
Raksha The Demon · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 79: Weapons Forged
A fascinating story. I loved this look into the history of the swords found in the barrow; and the brooch. How wonderful and how fitting that Merry and Pippin's blades had such a distinguished history. I loved it that Bombadil added his own song of power to the protections already laid in the blades.
Author's reply
I've been wanting to write a story of the forging of the blades for SO long, and so it was good to find a good reason for which to write it at last. And if we're visiting the barrow again, we must imagine the brooch as well as the swords. That Tom would, on seeing the knives and choosing to bestow them on the Hobbits, should offer his own blessing on both blades and those who should bear them just seems so right! And he, too, must rejoice at the end to know that these did help to bring down the might of the Witch-king! Thanks so, Rhaksha.
Raksha The Demon · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 80: Love Unrequited
Poor Gimli. I like this story; the strength of Gimli's love and the sorrow of it; since it condemns him to a life unwed. The power of Lothlorien and its Lady make quite a two-edged sword, don't they?! Elegantly written, with good characterization.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree. And thanks so for the praise--I am so honored!
GamgeeFest · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 73: The Approach
*snerk* I'm sure Aragorn was glad, for many other reasons as well, once Arwen arrived!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm certain of it, GamgeeFest! Heh! Thanks so!