A Rohan Tapestry by shirebound
Andrea · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
“I had to ask one more time,” Wonderful ending, Shirebound! The hobbits will miss their Strider and he will miss them! Like Aragorn Frodo did not expect agreement to his suggestion. But they had to try ;-)
Author's reply
Thank you, Andrea. I imagine that Frodo and Sam were offered titles, honors, and everything else the King could think of, but apparently they didn't accept them. It was fun to explore that a little.
SurgicalSteel · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
That was just lovely! *happy sigh*
Author's reply
Thank you so much. :D
harrowcat · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
Ah! Now that was a satisfying farewell to Aragorn. I always feel Tolkien short changes us a little!
Author's reply
I completely agree about that. Yay for fanfic, and our opportunities to fill in the gaps!
SlightlyTookish · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
What a sweet and fitting conclusion to this tale. Of course Merry and Pippin wouldn't leave Frodo now!! Silly Baggins, indeed :)
Author's reply
Thank you. I think that such a conversation must have taken place, especially since it really is out of the way to go back to the Shire by way of Rivendell.
Lily · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
What a lovely ending! better dressed, indeed! That Pippin is a rascal and always will be.
Author's reply
And we do love our rascally hobbits! Thank you, Lily.
Dreamflower · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 8: Epilogue
Oh, what a poignant farewell, with just a little of the hobbit lightness underneath, to keep it from being completely maudlin. You do the hobbit banter so well, keeping it gentle and funny without being completely over-the-top, as so many do. Aragorn is going to miss his hobbits so much. Poor old Strider. You know, you have the kernel of an interesting AU there--what if Frodo *could* somehow have persuaded Merry and Pippin to take the more direct way home? Imagine--they might have been able to forestall much of the more serious damage to the Shire. They could have arrived in time to kick the Ruffians out *before* Sharkey came along to inflict his revenge in person. Of course, it might have made dealing with him when he arrived a bit more difficult...And how would it have affected things in the long run? Would Lobelia still have given Bag End back to Frodo? Would Lotho have survived, with no Wormtongue to murder him? If the two of them could have handled it all before Frodo came back, would Frodo have been able to heal and remain in the Shire without Sharkey's curse? *hint*hint*
Author's reply
Thank you so much. Yes, I suspect that Strider's life was much less interesting after his hobbit friends departed. What a lovely plot bunny. If I don't write it, maybe someone else will!
Queen Galadriel · 29 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Oh, wonderful, Shirebound! (Exactly what did Pippin sing? :D) I especially love your lyrical description of the caverns, I could almost see it and hear the soft, cool drip, drip of the water. Ha, and Legolas enjoys himself after all! Perfect! *grins* God bless, Galadriel
Author's reply
Thank you, QG! I don't know exactly what Pippin sang, but I'm sure it was lovely. This was a fun story to write.
Linda Hoyland · 29 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Typpical of Pippin to worry about people going hungry. You made me feel I was seeing the caves. I love Gimli's enthusiasm.
Author's reply
Thank you, Linda. It's a rare treat to see Gimli so excited, isn't it? I wanted the hobbits to experience these amazing caverns.
Cuthalion · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
That scene in the cave is breathtakingly beautiful. Very, very well done, Janet. Mona
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Mona. I tried to "see" it as best I could.
Larner · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
What a beautiful setting you've described, and I'm so glad that the Hobbits, and especially Frodo, also got to see it, and by the light of the Phial. Yes, now the Dwarves themselves get to become gardeners, to see all brought to the fullness of beauty; Aulë must rejoice to see this of his children brought here; and Yavanna must be glad to see Legolas come to appreciate the great beauty of the place.
Author's reply
I wonder if that's one of the fundamental things Gimli and Legolas have in common -- both with an appreciation for living things, whether tree or rock? Aulë must rejoice to see this of his children brought here What a lovely thing to say! That would indeed be an interesting POV to write about.
Andrea · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Frodo nodded. Transfixed, he gently caressed a translucent sheet of marble. It seemed familiar somehow, a silver curtain floating in a sea of music. Beautiful chapter and beautiful language, Shirebound! I loved it to see the caves illuminated by the phial of Galadriel and filled with Pippin's song. And it is true what Frodo (or better you) said about Bilbo: He’s the thread woven throughout the whole tapestry of our Quest. Once again, the images you create are really beautiful :)
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Andrea. Our stories and imaginations are as close as we can come to being there in person!
harrowcat · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
“You would prune the rock!” Sam cried out. “Like with flowers and trees?” “Aye,” Gimli said softly. “You understand. I love how you depict each of the characters here Shirebound and the tconnections they are continuing to make with each other even here at the end of the quest.
Author's reply
Thank you. Gimli hasn't really had any chance to show (or tell) anyone, up to now, the true heart and inspiration for his people. In Sam I think he finds a kindred spirit.
Pearl Took · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Your words all painted beautiful pictures! All with this beautiful ending: “Look at that,” Pippin murmured. “I do believe he’s finally beginning to enjoy himself.” The hobbits turned to see Gimli pointing out various wonders to Legolas. The smile on the Elf’s face was genuine and appreciative. No Elf can resist beauty. MEWD!!!
Author's reply
Thank you, Pearl. I do love the idea of Gimli and Legolas working together to beautify and restore the southern lands. A most fruitful friendship indeed! (You'll have to define MEWD for me someday!) :D
SurgicalSteel · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
This was every bit of delightful, and well worth the wait. Loved the insight into Gimli - and Sam understanding him so well! And the phial revealing things, and everyone realizing that they're still in Bilbo's story... Just lovely!
Author's reply
Thank you. It takes one gardener to appreciate and recognize another, doesn't it? Sam may understand him more than any other member of the Fellowship ever did, or ever will.
Julchen11 · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Reading this story, I feel very touched, almost to moved to write. The atmosphere you’ve been creating is breathtaking. I love this story so very much, I will read and re-read it again and again. “Bilbo would love this, Frodo thought… I’ll bring him this story, with everything I can remember, and whatever years dear Bilbo has left, I hope to spend at his side.” Another time you left me speechless, my dear. Thank you, my dear Shirebound, thank you ever soo much. *hugs tight*
Author's reply
Oh Julchen, I hope you *are* moved to write! I would never have started writing if I hadn't been inspired by stories I was reading. Thank you so much, dear one. *hugs you right back*
Grey Wonderer · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
I am so glad you discribed their visit to the caves. I love this part: (When it comes to living rock, Dwarves, too, become gardeners.) I also love the way you mix light and sound together in this chapter. Pippin's line about still trying to figure out what 'the Mark' means gave me quite a laugh. I also enjoyed Frodo being able to visualize Dwarves working to rebuild the White City and Frodo's use of the phial as a gift to the others so that they might see and enjoy what he was able to see. Beautiful chapter with so many wonderful things in it!
Author's reply
Thank you! There was so much I wanted to say in this chapter, with each person experiencing this unique place in their own unique way. The Professor seems to have woven Arda out of Music and Light, and it's a theme that I love to keep exploring.
Althea · 25 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Your description of the cave is beautiful. I'm so glad that the hobbits got to see it.
Author's reply
Thank you, Althea. So am I! :D
Pearl Took · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 6: Journeys of the Heart
Sorry I'm late :-( I really liked this, with its emphasis on remembering and learning customs and of Frodo being a big brother again :-)
Author's reply
Reviews are never late! :D Thanks, Pearl. I wanted to write a very Merry-Frodo/cousin-y tale.
Glory Underhill · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
This story just continues to glow with magic. You've got such a gift for dialog, the people of each region keeping their distinct manners of speech. Perfect hobbit voices, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you. You've also got Gimli down pat. I'm enjoying this journey very much!
Author's reply
Oh Glory, thank you. And I feel I'm still learning how to write Gimli! He's very slow to reveal his secrets.
SlightlyTookish · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Oooh, what a beautiful chapter! I just love the idea of them visiting the Glittering Caves as a group. What a wonderful treat for the hobbits! And the idea of Pippin singing, and sounding like a whole chorus of Tooks, melted me a little :) Lovely work!
Author's reply
Thank you! I couldn't have the hobbits so close to such a wonder, and have them miss it. And I do love to encourage Pippin to sing, even in the most unlikely places.
Bodkin · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Yes - the aftermath would have been pretty horrific. Ridding the countryside of rotting corpses would have been key - and you're right. Next on the agenda would have been food. Then housing. The cave system sounds stunning - and Frodo's sharper sight has its uses. But the caves lit up with the Star-glass - now that would have been something to see! I'm not surprised that even Legolas is impressed. A very special place. I love Sam's perception of the dwarves as gardeners of stone - and his recognition of the rose in the rock.
Author's reply
Wouldn't that have been something to see! And to this point, only Sam had seen the star-glass blaze in all its glory. "A light in dark places" indeed. Aragorn and Eomer have a lot of work to do to see their lands restored and thriving, but then so do the hobbits (although they don't know it yet). The aftermath of war is a sad and difficult time.
lbilover · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Oh, how beautiful. That moment when Frodo lifts the phial and says 'Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima' was heart-stirring. And the ending was so moving, when he realizes that Bilbo is the thread woven through the whole tapestry of the Quest. Oh, and Gimli's words that Dwarves are gardeners of stone is such a wonderful comparison. Thank you for another lovely chapter!
Author's reply
Thank *you* so much. I had several ideas in mind about what form the 'tapestry' of the story title would take, but it didn't occur to me it might be Bilbo until I began this chapter. It's such fun to find comparisons between unlikely people, such as Gimli and Sam!
Gentle Hobbit · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Oh Shirebound! I adored this chapter. It is like a treasure itself with your exquisite descriptions of the caves. I love caves and have always been fascinated by the otherworldliness of stalagmites and stalagtites and the colours and dripping waters. From every direction came glitter and flash, strange and beautiful formations, and delicate colors almost beyond comprehension. Pools of clear water rang with the music of water falling, one slow drip at a time, from twisted flutes of rock, walls of gems, and curtains of marble. That was almost like poetry! until all that could be heard, once again, was the gentle drops of water falling into crystalline pools. I feel as if I were there. Lovely! I felt so satisfied and pleased that the hobbits, Gimli and Legolas had this chance to explore and marvel together. Thank you so much for this beautiful chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you! It was difficult to find new ways to write a scene that the Professor (and Gimli) had already described in such detail. At least, through fanfic, we can visit all these places that live in our hearts and imaginations.
AspenJules · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Wow, Shirebound, this is as wonderful as the caves you were describing! As I read I kept an eye out for parts I might want to quote as being especially good, but about halfway through I decided I would have to quote almost the whole chapter! I did find one line, however, that of them all I think is my favorite... because it made me giggle. “I’m still trying to find out what ‘the Mark’ means,” Pippin sighed. That is SO cute, and so very Pippin! I loved the starglass shining; I loved Sam understanding about the dwarves pruning the living rock; I loved Pippin singing; I loved Frodo enjoying the feel of the sand under his toes (mine curled just thinking of it) and how Bilbo was the thread winding through it all. *sighs happily* Wonderful, Shire... simply wonderful!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you highlighted that line, which I put in and took out many times! I think Pippin has a memory like an oliphaunt, and will persist until he gets every question answered, no matter how long it takes. Thank you for your lovely words and enthusiasm.
aprilkat · 24 March 2007 · Chapter 7: The Sands of Time
Speaking of weaving tapestries, that is how I see your lovely stories. Each thread, so potent on its own, gains in such beauty as it is interwoven and related to all the others. In this chapter I particularly loved: Sam realizing that dwarves care for the earth and its metals as if gardeners, and Gimli's response to it; Frodo's depth of sight and his sharing of the phial (again, sparked by a perceptive comment of Sam's); Pippin's singing (because Sam asked him); Legolas's final appreciation and sharing with Gimli; and that image of Bilbo being key to everything in Frodo's eyes. It's interesting, because when I was reading the chapter, I wasn't so aware of how much Sam drives the actions and affects their understandings. It was only when I was unwinding the threads of what I loved about it that I saw his influence in its quiet way. You do it so subtly, but effectively.
Author's reply
Aprilkat, your words are always so poetic they make my heart dance! Believe it or not, I wasn't consciously trying to write Sam as such a subtle but potent influence, he just naturally assumed the role! Thank you so much for pointing it out. You help me to see my own stories so much more clearly. I'm very, very happy that this 'tapestry' seems well woven; it's come a very long way from the point when I initially started to write it.