An Alphabet for Middle-earth by Dreamflower
Larner · 29 March 2007 · Chapter 24: X: Like Excruciating Exertions on the Way to That Crucial X
Oh, how wonderful a description of Bombur's ascent! It sounds so much as if it could have been told by the Master himself! Excellent!
Author's reply
Wow! *blushes* Thank you! That's high praise indeed!
Larner · 29 March 2007 · Chapter 23: W: Like a Wet Warg
Brother is gone; and was it planned? Obviously the new leader isn't too terrifically sad to see his brother gone. Better wet and leader than dead, I suppose.
Author's reply
I don't think it was exactly planned, but our POV warg was quick to take advantage! Since wargs seem to be sort of wolf-versions of Orcs, I think they'd have pretty much similar attitudes of "loyalty".
Lindelea · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 24: X: Like Excruciating Exertions on the Way to That Crucial X
You were right. It was just the perfect prompt.
Author's reply
Yes, it just *had* to be from The Hobbit! And all that about "exertions" naturally made me think of poor Bombur, who was so out of shape, poor thing, LOL!
eiluj · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 24: X: Like Excruciating Exertions on the Way to That Crucial X
So happy that Bombur was saved! Is it canon that he was a toymaker? If not, you have invented the perfect profession for him: nice and sedentary, and not so demanding of great physical exertion. And working on small toys leaves plenty of room on the workbench for lots and lots of munchies.
Author's reply
So am I! Of course, he would be, as it was canon--but I'll bet he doubted it himself several times on the way up! No, that's my own personal fanon take on him--I've used it once, in my contribution to Gayalondiel's group story "Yuletide Tales". But, yes, I used exactly that reasoning in picking such an occupation for him.
Frodo Baggins · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 24: X: Like Excruciating Exertions on the Way to That Crucial X
Hooray for the burglar! *hugs Bilbo* Good one! Yours, Frodo Baggins
Author's reply
Yes, Bilbo saved the day for them all several times over, but Bombur and Bofur especially!
Pearl Took · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 24: X: Like Excruciating Exertions on the Way to That Crucial X
Poor dear Bombur! You've done a wonderful job of filling in the holes!
Author's reply
Yes, poor thing! I'm glad you liked it!
Pearl Took · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 23: W: Like a Wet Warg
Wonderful POV!! It gives the most delightful shiver!
Author's reply
Well, you know, it was really the only canon warg encounter in LotR, and we had the Fellowship's POV, so seemed to me that it would be better to try the "bad guy's" POV!
Pearl Took · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 22: V: Like a Visiting Varda
Oooo! Lovely and very mystical! Dear Sweet Sam :-)
Author's reply
I am glad it came across as mystical--I've never written one of the Valar before! Thank you!
Pearl Took · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 21: U: Like Unsavory Urges in Umbar
I like your choice of "unsavory urges"! LOL Those poor sailors!!
Author's reply
Well, I didn't want to go in the "other" direction the prompt suggested! LOL! But yeah, I thought of poor Thorongil having to put on his healer's hat...
Andrea · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 9: I: Like Inspiring Ilúvatar
Well, it's not so long ago since I read the original "Amazing Grace" for the very first time. I knew the German translation, of course, but it is nothing compared to the original. And you are right, the second verse seems as if it was written for Frodo! I did recognise the repeated words, and somehow they seemed familiar. Now I know the reason ;-) Thank you very much for this poem. I'm really impressed :) (Actually, I "saved" one of your poems by printing it out. It was the minstrel's song about the four hobbits and their deeds. "Perhaps it was to humble us..." That one is my favourite!)
Author's reply
I am glad you enjoyed it. From the first time the parallels struck me, I wanted to do something with it in fic--and when the idea of a praise poem to Iluvatar came to me, I thought a sestina would be a good form for it. Oh! "The Smallest Hands"! I confess, it's a favorite of my own.
Lindelea · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 23: W: Like a Wet Warg
ooo. chilling.
Author's reply
*grin* In more ways than one--that water was cold! LOL! But I hope it was the other kind too!
Inkling · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 18: R: Like a Radiant Radagast
This is a wonderful baton-passing moment. I wish Tolkien had put in more about Radagast...I love his character!
Author's reply
I've always been fond of him as well. I would have liked to know more of him--I am sure Yavanna chose him for a reason!
Inkling · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 17: Q: Like a Querulous Quickbeam
Love this! I can just hear all the older Ents harrumphing at him...or would that be barrarumphing?
Author's reply
*grin* Yes, I can imagine! But he already knew what he wanted to do, and was ready to quit wasting time.
Inkling · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 9: I: Like Inspiring Ilúvatar
Good heavens! How long did it take you to write this? Á laita to you for making it work!
Author's reply
Well, the prompt was posted on a Friday, and I think I did not finish it until a Monday or Tuesday. It took quite a bit of work.
Inkling · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 4: D: Like a Dirty Dragon
A clever take on the prompt! I was picturing Smaug in a tub. A sad and yet hopeful picture of the Dragon, well reflected by the moods of the two hobbits.
Author's reply
*giggle* Someone else used the prompt to write Smaug as a little dragonette, all muddy from his play, LOL! "Sad and hopeful"--just what I was aiming for, thank you!
Inkling · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 22: V: Like a Visiting Varda
What a beautiful description of Varda! And I love the idea of this meeting giving Sam the courage to finally drop the "Mr." I'm coming late to this series...will have go back and read some more!
Author's reply
I've never written one of the Valar before--I worried about getting Her right. And yes, it was that which gave him courage. I hope you like the others!
harrowcat · 28 March 2007 · Chapter 22: V: Like a Visiting Varda
Lovely Dreamflower. I think that all Sam's reactions are perfect. Definitely one for the favourite's list.
Author's reply
I'm glad you think so. Much as I love Sam, he's sometimes a little harder for me to write! Thank you!
Larner · 27 March 2007 · Chapter 22: V: Like a Visiting Varda
Oh, this is so right for the two of them! We must ask to receive.
Author's reply
That was exactly my thought--that if they had not called upon Her, she would not have been able to help them!
Lindelea · 27 March 2007 · Chapter 22: V: Like a Visiting Varda
Awww. For some reason this makes me think of "Shire" and the Lady who watched over the hobbits in the vales of the Anduin. How lovely that She was there to greet Frodo, and then Sam. And Sam addressing Frodo as an equal! Will hobbits never cease to surprise me?
Author's reply
I'm glad. I thought that perhaps She would wish to thank them for giving her a chance to be part of their Quest. I am sure it was very frustrating for the Valar not to be able to interfere directly. For some reason, it just seemed to me that it had to be the moment Sam finally took up the challenge Frodo had long ago given him, to be friends only, and no longer Master and Servant.
MithLuin · 27 March 2007 · Chapter 22: V: Like a Visiting Varda
What, no "Mr. Frodo"? *grin* Good for Sam! This was touching.
Author's reply
Yes, he's finally ready to take that huge step--and just as well. How can he be formal with his friend when they are the only hobbits there?
PIppinfan1988 · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 19: S: Like a Sordid Sauron
Understanding nothing of love, Ruined by mercy, Isn't that the truth! I think it's the 'mercy' that convicts malicious people of their ways, yet their pride never lets them repent. That's a big reason why I love hobbits! :-) PF
Author's reply
"Mercy" is something that evil resents--I think of how Saruman scorned Gandalf's offer of mercy, and then Frodo's. I'm sure that Sauron was the same. You are right--with very few exceptions, hobbits understand mercy and compassion. It is in canon that they are generally compassionate as a race. It's why Gandalf loved them, and why I do--and why most everyone else does, too!
PIppinfan1988 · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 18: R: Like a Radiant Radagast
Gandalf inclined his head. “You are not coming home with me,” he said sadly. “Your work is finished, old friend. Mine has just begun.” Wow...I had not thought of that sort of exchange bewtween Gandalf and Radagast. These drabbles of yours are bringing out all kinds of deep thinking for me, lol. Another excellent tale. PF
Author's reply
I could just imagine Gandalf, going to find Radagast after all was over, and realizing that his friend still had much left to do. I'm glad if it made you think! That's always nice to hear!
PIppinfan1988 · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 17: Q: Like a Querulous Quickbeam
How fantastic! I heard quickbeam's treeish voice the whole time. Most excellently well done! PF
Author's reply
Oh! I'm so glad you thought I caught the "treeish-ness" of his voice! Thank you!
PIppinfan1988 · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 16: P: Like a Pink Pippin
LOL, omg...I think *I'm* blushing. Not really, but I do like knowing Pippin blushes as easily as I do, lol. Very sweet! Aunt Hepatica reminded me a lot of my great-grandmother! :-) PF
Author's reply
It's really hard to *avoid* blushing when making a visit to prospective in-laws, I think! LOL! I am surprised at the number of reviewers who told me they had relatives of some sort who reminded them of Aunt Hepatica! But she's something else, isn't she?
harrowcat · 26 March 2007 · Chapter 19: S: Like a Sordid Sauron
if it isn't a dibble then is it a drip? I am losing track of these definitions. But whatever it isn't it IS very good.
Author's reply
*giggle* A true dribble starts out with ten words, but as I wanted to spell out the villian's name, I started with six. So I suppose it is a hybrid of some sort. *ponders* I *know* there's a technical name for the sort of poetry that spells words in the first line...