Denise
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 9999: Epilogue
Marvellous, bittersweet ending to another excellent portrait of the life of this little, beloved town.
Just awesome: “And never forget about your promise,” warned Erinti, kissing her brow. “May the blessings of the forest and the running and falling waters and the soaring winds be with you, child. Be brave and be strong, whatever fate may throw at you. For you have it in you to beat fate.”
Delbaeth was the only one I could bring myself to look up in "Last Yule" again; and I'd forgotten about the Elves being brought out in that previous work! It really made me appreciate even more the intertwining you've done between the two works.
Yeah: great last line.
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you liked the story - I liked writing it as well. There will be more, soon.
Thanks for taking the time to review. It's much appreciated, and it inspires the muse to work harder. ;)
Denise
· 25 November 2008
· Chapter 22: The Barber-Surgeon
The romantic in me swooned: But when he looked in those large, clear grey eyes, he knew he would marry Breage again.
And then there is Loarne's pragmatic wisdom, handled exceptionally well.
Author's reply
Sometimes I just can't help being sappy. ;)
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 21: The Builders
Great descriptions, as always: I can picture the decrepit Old Sailor both as it is now, and what it will become. Even though you don't have the results of the Orc raid at the end of each chapter as "Last Yule" did, still the bittersweetness of all these hopeful dreams comes through...
Author's reply
That's the really sad thing, isn't it? That they have all struggled and laboured so much, they have built up something from the ruins, and for what...?
Sometimes I hate myself for giving them such a hard fate, but life is like that.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 20: The Ale-Wife
I do feel for The Barn, but Gennys is a nice guy, and there's another families' plans and dreams riding on him as well. I like that we're getting both sides of the whole situation. It's never cut and dried, good vs. bad, in real life, and I really appreciate that you bring it out in your stories, too.
Author's reply
Thanks. Sometimes, life is simply unjust, and in order for good people to have a better fate, other good people have to suffer. But "The Barn" is still in business at the time of Halabor's destruction, so Clemow & Co have apparently struggled on reasonably well.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 19: The Carpenter
Very nice again; I love the lathe operations.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 18: The Pastry-Cooks
It's little asides like this that I love so much in your stories:
Somewhat consoled by this decision (one that he renewed every single day), Wethinoc left the bakery to cross the town, leading to the fairground.
Just that parenthesized comment says so much!
I like the way you laid out Wethinoc's attitude, one that any bound artisan would feel sympathy for. No, one can't blame him for bossing his brother around a bit. :)
Author's reply
Well, these are ordinary people and no saints. It's only right to make them a bit bossy and selfish sometimes. ;)
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 17: The Butcher
Well, I knew after so many lovely families you'd have to throw in a Goran for balance. :) Not that anyone who is strong in his family has anything to fear, but yes: he's totally blind to the difficulties his daughter-in-law is facing. Yay! for dear Mistress Dorlas calling him on it, useless though it was.
Of course, I did like Goran's attitude towards the special arrangement between Dorlas and Henderch. As always, you build such appealing layers of complexity into each one of your characters.
Author's reply
Actually, Goran is not so bad. He's just one of those people who are never ill, and can't understand that not everyone is made of such hard stuff.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 16: The Bow-Maker
Well, naturally I adore Endelliont! *g* And it seems she found a fair husband who appreciates her, to boot.
I enjoyed the interactions between Rhisiart, Cadwallon, Durithel and the children very much, particularly when Rhisiart was "lucky" enough to get to take the kids off into the fair. :)
“... What kind of hair do Elves use to make bow-strings?”
“Our own,” said Durithel with a faint smile.
Lovely! Exactly what I would expect!
Author's reply
Well, it *is* stated in LOTR that the bows of Lórien had bow-strings made of Elven hair, so I thought a bit of canon accuracy would be in order.
Rhisiart deserved to take care of his own daughter once. He's rolled off the whole child-raising burden onto the shoulders of his brother; he ought to fulfil his paternal duties time and again, too.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 15: The Whitesmiths
I like this wonderful couple too much - too much, I say - to even take a brief look at "Last Yule in Halabor"! I don't remember their fate and I don't want to. Although I have hope that it seems at least their son lived and somehow made use of this gold.
Oh, I love that exchange at the end, from humble craftsman to humble lord. Really, really marvelous work, Soledad. To find mithril in his little shop! (And Gildor remonstrating with his jewel-smith is a nice touch.)
Author's reply
Gildor is always great fun to write. I'm glad I haven't ended each chapter with such a depressing note as in "Last Yule", though. The story is a much happier one this way - and besides, they still have almost a decade to go...
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 14: The Bone-Carvers
What a lovely family; I love that Enoder enjoys those quiet times with his daughters.
I also like the rundown of just how *much* can and was made of bone. So much never even occurred to me...
Author's reply
Yep most of those things we use plastic for nowadays.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 13: The Glass Workers
So interesting - glass-making and craftwork is intensely fascinating.
I like this family very much, and love the affection imbuing their regard for Herumor. Although all that talk about him representing the future, etc, gave me a serious case of the sniffles, thinking about the future...
And buying that pendant... hmmm... Could a certain healer be in for a big surprise? *vbg*
Author's reply
Oh, but that would be telling, wouldn't it?
I'll have more Herumor stories coming up on the first of Advent, so keep looking out for him.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 12: The Minstrels
Awesome!
'Nuf said. *g*
Author's reply
Thanks. :) It was great fun to write.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 11: The Water-Carrier
Bwahahahaha!!
Oh, lovely: drunk Elves and high-paying customers. What a turn-around, Soledad! Thank goodness for those Elves that never grow up. *g*
Author's reply
There is something to say for juvenile Elves, isn't there? I had great, evil fun to turn the tides against Sulain. ;)
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 10: The Wine-Crier
Grrr!! Oh, Sulain needs some taking-down! What a selfish bastard - as if HE would be a great success without being handed it by his father. Scum.
Did my heart ever go out to Clemow; I'll be hoping that not only will some miracle keep them afloat, but that he gains a happier wife somehow in the bargain. It's not his fault that Ladoca's father sold her off.
Author's reply
One can always hope for a miracle when the Elves are in town. *g*
Sulain isn't a pleasant character, that much is sure. I don't know how he turned out to be such an ***, but these characters sometimes just have their own head about themselves.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 9: The Saddler
OK, Mistress Isfin may be my favorite Elven character so far. I love her conversation with Folcwalda.
“Only the Silvan folk feels the urge to show off their skills by riding bareback,” she replied. “We, more practical folk, prefer the good leverage and the comfort a well-made saddle can offer.
I had a fit of snickering reading this, thinking of a certain scene in LotR...
Author's reply
Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I just couldn't resist the jibe. *g*
Isfin's character came from her name, actually. It sounds so un-Elvish (even though originally it was supposed to be the name of Aredhel, King Turgon's sister) that I felt I had to make her one tough lady....
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 8: The Buckle Maker
I really enjoyed the discussion of leatherworking and dyes, and very funny interaction between Erchin and the Elves!
“Amazingly accurate,” he said, “and surely worth every single copper penny that you have asked for.” Hee hee hee! See previous chapter's comments. :)
“For some people,” she declared in a strangely maternal manner, “not even thousands of years are enough to grow up.” *snerk* I would have loved to have seen Erchin's face at that statement.
I like the reference to Lindir, too - I still remember him from Isabeau's CMC. It's so much fun when authors borrow each other's characters.
Author's reply
Ummm... acutally, it was Isabeau who borrowed Lindir from me. I have an ungodly long WIP about him, titled "Innocence" - it can't be posted to this site, but you can find it on TFF, where the longest and unedited version is posted. His basic characteristics have been worked out in that story, which I still hope to finish one day.
Denise
· 24 November 2008
· Chapter 7: The Cutler
Oh, my! Easily my favorite chapter so far, and not only because of Gildor's glorious and radiant appearance!
First, I love that Kevern is so aware of himself and who he needs to be, even if it means disappointing or frustrating those he loves.
Second, I love that amidst his practical trade he has an artist's heart, and sacrificed to create something of beauty. (I felt all sorts of resonances with writers in general and fanfic writers in particular.)
Third, I absolutely love Gildor's comment about "...adding three more pieces to honour your modesty. ‘Tis not a trait I find often when bargaining with mortals." It sort of touches on something I've wondered with every Elven purchase thus far: the mortals have thought that Elves don't know enough to bargain, although they haven't been exorbitantly overcharging them. But for beings as long-lived as the Elves, surely all human customs are well-known in areas that they travel in. I've been suspecting that the Elves know full well what is happening and have let it pass out of compassion, as they know that dangerous times have impacted the mortal ability to earn a living; and it's much better than revealing pity for the craftsmen's circumstances.
Even so, it's wonderful to see Kevern's innate honesty so rewarded. :)
Fourth, Imrahil has a shiny new toy! I hope Isabeau knows about it - first the Haradric rug for Andra and now this. (I had an immediate flashback to Isabeau's "Last Rites", when Aragorn comments on the elaborateness of Imrahil's camp setup - I could totally see this stool in amongst all the other goodies. *g*)
Some great phrases at the end that I love:
old and mortal with ageless and deathless
And when the women of the family were content, Kevern was content, too.
Just an awesome, lovely chapter!
Author's reply
I must admit that "Last Rites" was something of an inspiration for using the school, although I found out about the existence of such things in some obscure article about medieval smithcraft. I don't know whether Isabeau has ever read this story, though.
Kevern is a character I've grown very fond of in TSD already. It was elaborated there that he doesn't like making weapons, even though his mother blackmailed him into forging that battle axe for Súrion. I thought he's such a strong character he'd deserve his own story. And bringing back Mistress Pharin was great fun; she's based on my late grandmother, which is the reason I like writing her so much.
Denise
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 6: The Old Clothes Merchant
...and they say that those touched by Elves often have strange fates...
Oh, yes, I'm very hopeful for that poor girl, too.
This is a wonderfully touching chapter, Soledad. I love the outright decency of Mullion admist all his own problems, including the uncertain fate of his daughter. Life was hard for many, but not all turned miserly and mean with it. It makes quite a contrast with some of those you've described who are better off materially, but worse off in their souls.
Funny how it works like that: those with little are almost always generous with it; those with much often have to have it pried out of their cold dead fingers!
Author's reply
Yes it's often so, isn't it? Although even there, there are exceptions.
Mullion was a character I've wanted to introduce for quite some time. I just never found the right opportunity. But then it occurred to me that the poor girl would need some clothes, and who better to provide them than the old clothes merchant?
Denise
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 5: The Mercer
I got a hearty chuckle out of wily and supercilious Master Suanach... and am quite delighted that he had to swallow some pride to save his own hide.
Author's reply
He's a wily old bird, Master Suanach is. But even he has to make compromises from time to time.
Denise
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 4: The Wool Merchant
I love all these strong Old Folk women who people your Halabor stories. Strong men, too, but they would not make it without the women behind them. Wise Manissa, to lead Eudo to the right conclusion by deduction instead of outright telling him what to do. (And wise Eudo to so value her!) And ha! that the desire to talk came from the other side too! Love the deal cut: Nogga is more Eudo's "people" than the wolves of Lebennin. Argh! that this historic contract was no doubt thrown in disarray by the orc raid that demolished the town. Hopefully something continued on even past that.
Mogh's observances are always refreshing and enlightening. I really like this: Dunlendings did not make friends easily but were doggedly faithful to those they had made. As well as the lovely discussion of family ties and care; these are a long-established people with deep roots and an individual culture, after all, not the near-animals some PoVs might make of them.
I also like this tie: ...as they had surprisingly good relations to the bearded race, going back to the times when Thorin Oakenshield and his family had lived in exile in Dunland. Yes, not everyone would see Dunlendings as enemies, and it's cool to be reminded that we only get one perspective in LotR. :)
Author's reply
As I said, I enjoyed writing the Dunlendings a great deal. They were modelled after the Welsh as portrayed in Ellis Peters' books... just a little more savage. And the fact that Thorin and Co. lived among them is canon, so I thought they couldn't be all that bad if they got along with the Dwarves so amiably.
The Hanse of Lebennin is another thing I had great fun with. I've posted its history and a description of the main towns to the Otherworlds discussion board, if you're interested.
Denise
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 3: The Vellum-Maker
I never knew anything about how vellum was made - that was fascinating! But why is it hard on the lungs? The smells of unfinished skins, or fumes from the lime baths?
And my, could I ever relate to Yehan's last comment. An incredible gift, indeed.
Author's reply
It is, isn't it?
As for the craft being hard on the lungs, I think it's all those things you've listed together. Especially the fumes from the lime baths, I'd think.
Denise
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 2: The Clothiers
Awesome - another fully-fleshed and multi-layered character. I really like Mistress Betha even in her hardness and past regrets; every one of your individuals feel so real.
Your descriptions are just wonderful, too. Detail person that I am, I love learning that different cloths require different looms, for example.
I also love the connection back to Dol Amroth in this chapter, and the reference to trade secrets. It's easy to forget that people usually married within the family craft (or related ones) in part to keep their secrets methods intact, and how closely guarded it all was.
foreign customers, indeed! *g* The beating poor Betha's self-image took upon seeing the lady Elves is exactly how I would feel! Her gaping menfolk made me wish your divine Gildor had paid a visit. Turn-about, and all. :)
Author's reply
Too bad I haven't thought of *that*. But worry not, Gildor will appear later on, in all his glory.
Re: inbreeding
They not only married within the family craft, they also often married within the extended family, too. My grandfather came from a wealthy Saxon family, and they'd been marriages between cousins for so long that one of his sisters was a bit, well... dim.
I had great fun writing Mistress Betha - I like writing characters who aren't young and pretty. They're a lot more interesting, honestly.
Denise
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 1: The Potter
Oh, my, did I enjoy this chapter! I think I mentioned in past reviews or journals that I used to do pottery myself, so much of this chapter really spoke to me. I can see why pottery was relegated to men; although we are lots freer with gender assignments these days, it still takes a tremendous amount of strength to manage the large amounts of clay required for truly big pots - even with the assistance of electric throwing wheels. Clear and excellent explanations for the preparation and creation!
And as always, your characters are vividly realized. I particularly loved the potter's common-sense approach to marrying one of his daughters to his apprentice, and the same approach to the Elf over-paying for his wares. I also loved the bright spot of hope that visiting with an Elf brought to the family.
Author's reply
Heh! I was thinking of you specifically when I decided to write about the potters. I've owed you this one for quite some time. ;))
Denise
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 0: Prologue
What a nice prologue: everything set out well so that previous events are covered and the details of the fair worked out. I particularly like the addition of the Dunlending merchants, the reasons for their coming, and potential problems/successes that have been set up. Do the Dunlendings trade at many other fairs, or is Halabor's one of the few that welcome them? I can't imagine any trade in Rohan, and don't remember if there are any other towns you've established that would be within reasonable travelling distance...
Author's reply
Thanks. :)
The Dunlending part was something I've been planning for quite some time - we really don't know anything about them, and if we're not identifying ourselves automatically with the Rohirrim, they probably had a good enough reason to feel cheated... or, at the very least, they might thought that they have one.
The prologue was necessary, as I can't automatically expect everyone to have read "The Shoemaker's Daughter" - or what's there of it anyway. Originally, I intended to deal with the fair in Chapter 8 of TSD, but then I realized the advent calendar potential in it and made it an independent story. *g*
Bodkin
· 3 January 2008
· Chapter 9999: Epilogue
First - many apologies for not having had the time (or energy) to read and review as you posted this. And for not reviewing each chapter as they deserve. For I love your Halabor. The complexity - the detail - the interactions of the individuals (some of whom lead very realistically cruddy lives) - your sheer understanding of the town, its inhabitants and the way they live ... it's just brilliant. I'm really not sure which of the inhabitants I love most - the carter, of course, doesn't make the list - but they are real people living medieval lives, obsessed with - well, making a living, I suppose. Providing for their families and setting up successful dynasties. I can't remember all the outcomes, but I am only too (unfortunately) aware that many of them aren't happy. I loved seeing them in conjunction with the passing elves ... making a few coins, setting up a few memories. I suspect that some among the elves were only too aware of the stink of tragedy in the near future - and maybe happily handed over a few extra coins to sweeten the present.
I just love your detail. The way you know the background and destiny of all your characters. Halabor is a very real place.
Beautiful, Soledad. I loved it. (Perhaps even more for having read it all in one go.) Well done.
Author's reply
And here I thought you've gotten fed up with Halabor! *g*
Seriously, thank you. It was a very hard series to write: to come up with new things and new characters from a place that has already been explored so thoroughly, while struggling with a really bad strech of Real Life. There were times when I've nearly given up the whole thing, as barely any people seemed to be interested... until Neilia came aboard and nudged me along for the next part.
I'm glad that I've managed to write it to the end, after all - even though it's actually turned out 2 parts shorter than originally intended. But stubbornness can only carry a person so far. ;))
I'm glad you like it. I might add a short file later, revealing the fate of the characters, when I get around to do it.