Alphabet of Arda by Linda Hoyland
harrowcat · 9 October 2007 · Chapter 8: H= Like a Hale Halbarad
Nicely put Linda. (But I still prefer Surgical Steel's AU where Halbarad lives!)
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm sad poor Halbarad dies and too much of a canon purist to write AU. Have you read Radbrooks delightful tale where he lives too?
Raksha The Demon · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 7: G = Like a Gasping Galadriel
Intriguing look inside the mind of the Lady of the Golden Wood during her greatest temptation. What a great and terrible force she could have been, had she not wisely rejected the Ring's allure. Nicely done; particularly the allusions to the flowers and the mallorns.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.I think Galadriel was very tempted and it took all her strength to resist.
Larner · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 7: G = Like a Gasping Galadriel
I so rejoice that she chose not to fall in that way. Well wrought.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.I'm glad too she did not fall.
harrowcat · 1 October 2007 · Chapter 7: G = Like a Gasping Galadriel
A wonderful glimpse of the world for her taking. I do love how Tolkien presents most of his major characters with this moment of decision.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.I find it very interesting how the different characters react to the Ring.
shirebound · 30 September 2007 · Chapter 7: G = Like a Gasping Galadriel
What a moment, what a terrible and compelling temptation! Galadriel surely "showed her quality" in this amazing scene.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.i'm sure Galadriel was sorely tempted.
Larner · 14 September 2007 · Chapter 6: F = Like a Fearful Faramir
Reasons to be fearful, but more reasons to rejoice each time, both before and after! Ah, Faramir, but the King HAS come back! Be glad at the renewal!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm sure Faramir is rejoicing once he gets to know Aragorn, but I guess he was brought up on anti King/ Thorongil rhetoric,yet he kept his dreams intact.
harrowcat · 13 September 2007 · Chapter 6: F = Like a Fearful Faramir
I loved every bit/one of these drabbles but especially part two.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you enjoyed these drabbles.I think my personal favourite is the one about Elboron's birth.
shirebound · 13 September 2007 · Chapter 6: F = Like a Fearful Faramir
Had Aragorn not saved his life, even though he could have barred his path to the throne? His new lord approached. His piercing yet kindly gaze met Faramir’s .He knew then that he could trust this new King All fears forgotten, Faramir knelt and proffered the White Rod That's wonderful. I was so unhappy that this scene wasn't in the movie.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I was sad the scene wasn't shown too as well as Aragorn healing Faramir.
Raksha The Demon · 26 August 2007 · Chapter 5: E - like an evil Elrond
I don't think Elrond was evil either; he wanted to give Aragorn incentive to do what no Heir of Isildur had yet managed; reclaim the throne of the two, long-sundered realms; and I think he knew that Aragorn was capable of it. Also, Elrond wanted the best for his only daughter. But I can see why Arwen thought the condition "evil"! Good job with the prompt, as usual.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I found this a tough prompt as I agree Elrond isn't evil !I wonder how much his foresight told him about Aragorn becoming King?
Lorienprincess · 26 August 2007 · Chapter 5: E - like an evil Elrond
I don't see Elrond as evil, just realistic. Personally I don't see that whole half-elven thing as romantic as most people do. To make a elf choose between their family and a mortal love, sundered untill the end of time by either choose is just very cruel. And since Elrond already lost his brother to mortality, he knows what he's talking about. Didn't that family already suffered enough trough the ages starting with Luthien and Beren? I think Elessar should have been granted immortality after rebuiling Gondor and Arnor and after passing the crown to Eldarion he should have sailed into the West with Arwen. Because the dominion of men truly started with Eldarion.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review and welcome to my stories. I don't see Elrond as evil either, but it was a prompt in a series I was trying to complete.His family history is very tragic. I personally think Aragorn would have regarded immortality as a curse rather than a blessing as I feel he was satisfied he had done all he could with life and gave it up willingly,accepting his mortality as part of the human condition and seeking his true destinity beyond the circles of the world. Yet part of me would have liked him to sail into the West for a time with Arwen.
Allee · 25 August 2007 · Chapter 5: E - like an evil Elrond
Arwen must have indeed thought her father was evil! The plight of all parents, I suppose, but Elrond's not one to cave in to his children just to bring them a fleeting moment of happiness. He's too wise for that, no? One little issue: you're missing your end quotes at the end of the first line. :) I enjoy these drabbles, Linda. Allee
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I would think every child has their moments of seeing their parents as "evil2 when they obly want the best for their children. Thanks for telling me about the missing quote mark. I have fixed it. I'm pleased you enjoy the drabbles.
harrowcat · 25 August 2007 · Chapter 5: E - like an evil Elrond
I have enjoyed all these Linda, on both sites!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you enjoy these drabbles.I'm trying to polish the LJ versions when I can.
Larner · 24 August 2007 · Chapter 5: E - like an evil Elrond
It WAS a pretty sure thing, perhaps, at first--what might the chances Aragorn might possibly meet the conditions when he started? Pretty slim, I think. But Aragorn showed him! Heh! And I don't see why the other drabble isn't suitable for this site? I can certainly appreciate Elrond's frustration and his willingness to keep Aragorn and Legolas locked up in the infirmary for a month so as not to have to set stitches in them every other day or so! Heh!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. Elrond reminds me of the father in many fairy tales who sets seemingly impossible conditions, which the hero always manages to fulfil. I was worried about breaking the no parodies rule, so to be on the save side posted the second drabble on my site.I'm pleased you read it and found it amusing.
Larner · 10 August 2007 · Chapter 4: D= A very dirty Dragon
Sibling rivalry expressed in the taking and abuse of one another's toys! How familiar the theme! Heh! (Can you tell I've been through it, both as a younger sister myself as well as an older one, and as a mom?)
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you found this realistic as I'm an only child.I@m sure eventually Eldarion will be glad of Farawyn.
RS · 9 August 2007 · Chapter 4: D= A very dirty Dragon
Feisty little thing, isn't she? And good for Eldarion for not hitting his little sister! RS
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'd expect Aragorn and Arwen's daught to be spirited.Eldarion is just old enough t o know hitting his sister would mean big trouble !
Agape4Gondor · 9 August 2007 · Chapter 1: A = Antagonistic Arwen or a Hundred Rampaging Orcs?
I very much liked all four - though I think my favorite is the first with Orophin & Rumil. Delightful - each one!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you enjoyed these. I felt Raksha did a great job with the first one.
Raksha The Demon · 9 August 2007 · Chapter 4: D= A very dirty Dragon
Cute and funny response to the challenge prompt - Aragorn's kids are lucky that the only dragon they will probably ever encounter is a child's toy. I'd like to see more of little Farawyn!
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.THe children are indeed fortunate. I'm sure Farawyn will want to make her voice heard again.
Raksha The Demon · 2 August 2007 · Chapter 3: C = Certain Circumstances in the Citadel
A brief but telling glimpse of the outpouring of need that greeted the returning King on his exit from the Houses of Healing - he was generous to try to meet it. Nice use of the challenge prompt.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you enjoyed this.It was one of the toughest in the series to write !
shirebound · 1 August 2007 · Chapter 3: C = Certain Circumstances in the Citadel
That's a great scene. How amazing it would be for the citizens that a King actually returned, in the flesh, after 1000 years of waiting.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you enjoyed this. I would have liked being in that crowd to witness such an amazing event !
Larner · 1 August 2007 · Chapter 3: C = Certain Circumstances in the Citadel
Undoubtedly this is exactly how it happened, Linda--the curious, the desperate, the politicians, the believers, the doubters--all gathering to see the Return of the King.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.It must have been an interesting experience to be in the crowd.I'm pleased you found my version realistic.
Jane · 20 July 2007 · Chapter 2: B= Bathing Boromir
Room Service: This doesn't seem to be out of the realm of possibility at all! I do think Boromir would have "gotten around". I mean, he's young, he's handsome, noble, heroic, the Steward's son...I don't think I'll go any further. ;D And I am truly, TRULY jealous of that girl. Lucky duck. ^_^ Last Service: This was so lovely, but so heartbreaking. I think I cried when I read about Boromir's death in the book. The poor guy! And poor Aragorn... All in all, two VERY good drabbles. P.S: When are you updating "A Time to Reap?"
Author's reply
Thanks for your much appreciated review.Your kind and insightful comments made my day.I'm so pleased that you liked these drabbles. I hope to update "A Time to Reap" within the next few weeks.My hits and review counts fell dramatically, so I assumed readers were either away or busy with summer activities, so I took a break to write the short "Comes the Moment to Decide." I'm pleased someone is interested in "A Time to Reap" and can tell you the next chapter has been drafted out and I've no intention of abandoning the story.
Raksha The Demon · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 2: B= Bathing Boromir
What a great and tragic contrast, between vibrant Boromir, admired and desired, in his prime and taking a moment to enjoy the pleasure of a willing woman's ocmpany, and poor dead Boromir, his face being cleaned by his mourning comrade as the last service. Nice reminiscing by Aragorn, of baby Boromir, so loved by his parents.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you liked these.It is amazing what contrasts Muses come up with at times !
Larner · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 2: B= Bathing Boromir
Quite a contrast between the virile young Lord Captain and the gentleness of the King cleansing the dead face of the younger man he remembers as a small child.
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you liked the contrast. I had only planned to write the first one, then at the last moment the secont jumped into my head.
Allee · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 2: B= Bathing Boromir
Two entirely different drabbles; both enjoyable! The image of Aragorn using a strip from his shirt to bathe Boromir's face is quite touching. Allee
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review.I'm pleased you enjoyed these and were touched by Aragorn's gesture.
Allee · 18 July 2007 · Chapter 1: A = Antagonistic Arwen or a Hundred Rampaging Orcs?
"'I am sorry, beloved, the work of your hands is wondrous fair, but is this son we made together not fairer still?'” Oh that Aragorn is a smooth talker! These drabbles are very enjoyable, Linda. Allee
Author's reply
Many thanks for your much appreciated review. I'm pleased you enjoyed them. I assumed Aragorn had spent his life talking his way out of tough situations but this must be a new one to him !