shirebound · 18 March 2012 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
I just wanted you to know that I still read your lovely stories, I still enjoy them immensely, and I'm so happy you wrote them. I think of you often, and hope you're doing well.
The Elf Path by Nilmandra
Reviews (17)
Agape4Gondor · 31 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
Very interesting. Glad indeed am I that the Elves didn't leave Frodo for the trees! They didn't sound particularly welcoming. It was fun seeing what I assume was Strider on guard duty! And glad indeed that Merry was the one to wake him and not someone less kind! Ah - another journey....
Author's reply
I was sort of going for Gildor type elves here, LOL. And I'm not sure who the Rangers were, for that matter! They showed up but didn't leave their names. I like the idea of elf paths though - that for those who have eyes to see, they are there. :D
Dot · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
This is absolutely delightful! I love how you write Frodo. His sense of adventure and his courage really come through. I thought it was very clever too what you do with the atmosphere. It feels so oppressive and strange in that forest and yet Frodo’s curiosity and moments of sheer wonder keep the reader going through the sense of unease and wariness right along with him. Bilbo would be very proud of that adventurous streak that Frodo seems to have inherited! And it’s quite touching too to see how much Frodo wants to follow in Bilbo’s footsteps. Though something tells me that he’ll do that with bells on... Oh, and it amused me no end the way he decides he’s ready for an adventure so off he goes and has one!! I’m still smiling at the way he laughs and sings with delight as the path appears, even taking him across the Brandywine. Now that must be magic ;-) And then he gets smacked on the head. Nice. I was hoping we’d get to meet the elves! I love the way this elf chastises the tree. For some reason I thought it was a lovely touch too that he wraps up Frodo’s cake and puts it into back into his pack. These elves are so kind and protective. And one at least seems not unused to hobbits :-) Soon, two riders appeared across the river. Men, tall and dark. Rangers! Yay! Nameless rangers that I’m going to name in my head anyway ;-) I have to admit I started chuckling at the thought of them all running into each other in the middle of the night – all because Frodo decided to go exploring. These hobbits do have a way of inadvertently shaping events. That meeting between the men and elves was just wonderfully written – and Frodo missed it! “Hopefully enough explanation to keep him from wandering where he does not belong.” LOL!! Merry’s great. No sympathy from him, only excitement and a slight rebuke. And the suggestion of food, of course. He wanted to find that path again, and something in his heart told him he would need to make that quest alone. What a gorgeous ending. Elf paths aren’t without danger but faith will guide the way. And, of course, there’s the reminder of the final Path that waits for him when the time comes and we already see here the sparks of courage that will allow him to follow it. Really, this was terrific. Not only did you make the events completely canonical but your characters have walked straight out of the pages of Tolkien. It’s always wonderful to see something like this pop up on the front page of SoA. Not to mention how great it is to see a story from you – keep that inspiration burning!
Author's reply
LOL, I did think it funny that Frodo missed out on this meeting of Elves and Rangers. I think the elf helped him stay asleep a little longer than he might have on his own, too. A little foreshadowing is always fun too, and Tolkien did it a lot - something I've definitely picked up on this last time through the book. The Straight Road is the ultimate and final elf path, and Frodo will be one of the only mortals ever to take that one. Glad you liked the story - and especially so if Frodo bore a resemblance to Book!Frodo. Merry is just a tween here, but yeah, food and adventure. Most guys of that age are not big on sympathy!
Gwynhyffar · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
Nilmandra! How nice to see a story from you! You managed to get Frodo square on. I love his decision that he's ready for an adventure. Of course, he'll be on a real adventure soon enough and will meet all sorts of elves! You are really good at developing and keeping that tight pov that everyone is always talking about, and you manage to do it while fitting your characters square into canon.
Author's reply
If Frodo seemed like Tolkien's Frodo, then I am well pleased. Thanks for your kind words about POV - I got good advice from someone once about that and I think it made a big difference in my writing.
Redheredh · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
Ah, Frodo lured deeper into the Forest by that yearning we all have to know the elusive Elves. Very nice. And even better to see a new story from you! Thanks to Shirebound for prompting you to do it!
Author's reply
It has been a long time since I've had the desire to write - I'm glad it returned from wherever it has been vacationing. Glad you liked this - I would like to step out my door one day and on to an elf path. :D
Bodkin · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
What courage Frodo has! I can't see any other hobbit having the ... vision or the nerve to follow something as tenuous as the elf path - and how frustrating that the wretched tree clonked him on the head so close to his goal of encountering elves. This is a lovely Frodo - one who would walk into Mordor with little but faith and courage to support him. Nice group of protective elves and brave Rangers - sending him home to his resilient cousin.
Author's reply
I was imagining living in a world where such magical things exist - but with elf paths come malicious trees, with ranger guards come barrow wights. I am glad you like this Frodo - I was hoping it was Tolkien's resilient curious adventuresome hobbit!
Gentle Hobbit · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
I enjoyed this nighttime adventure. I especially liked the elves' path and how it drew Frodo on.
Author's reply
I like to think that Elbereth indeed guided him to it. Thank you, I am glad you liked it.
Larner · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
Ah--to find an Elf Path! How wonderful a gift, and a sign indeed he was intended to be an Elf friend indeed! And Aragorn helped bring him back? Excellent!
Author's reply
The ranger and elves may be of your choosing :D I want to find an elf path.
Eruanneth_Luin · 30 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
My dear Nilmandra, what a delightful little tale. How I yearn to follow that Path as well. Though fraught with danger, it is well worth the pursuit. Alas, like poor Frodo in the Woods, a glimpse of their passing and a fragrant hint of their song is all we may ever experience of Elf-kind. Thank you for brightening my day with this sweet surprise.
Author's reply
I am glad you caught that there is a greater elf path yet to follow - the Straight Road, and that one will take as much courage to get on as anything else this hobbit has done. But, he will have companions then - another dear hobbit, a half elf and many elves, and it will be a first and last for all of them. Does make you wonder as you tramp about though, if there might be other elf paths, in dimensions that cross ours.
The Karenator · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
What a lovely tale! The forest was magnificent. Your descriptions truly brought it to life. I could see and hear his feet sinking into the bogs and the ornery old tree bopping Frodo on the head. The elves and rangers came across as perfect 'shadow people'. The elves naturally slip among the trees and the rangers were very good in stealth mode. Poor Frodo doesn't know what he missed. Beautiful imagery, Nilmandra. A delight to read. And Happy Birthday to Shirebound.
Author's reply
Thanks, Karen. I enjoyed writing it and trying to come up with answers to questions raised in my mind about who used that path and if the elves passed through the Old Forest and why Frodo didn't speak of his previous experience as Merry did... etc. I am glad when it all works itself out into a story!
elliska · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
This is a wonderful plot bunny and the story is wonderfully written. You really captured the mystery of the forest at night. The forest is such a complete character here--every bit as much as Frodo, the elves and rangers. I really loved that. And of course I loved Frodo following the elves and Merry's reaction when he found him. Great story!!
Author's reply
Thanks, Elliska. This was fun - once I had the plot bunny, i just had to figure out a likely location for the elf path and then it practically wrote itself :D
Neilia · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
I have often wondered about the time Frodo went into the Old Forest and what kind of adventure he had. This is an excellent tale! Love, Neilia
Author's reply
A story begging to be told. Tales of the Old Forest - Merry has been in several times and seems to have lots of good advice about what upsets the trees - there must be a story there too!
meckinock · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
I love the imagery of the river crossing. But poor Frodo, making it safely to the other side only to get bonked on the head by an annoyed tree! Lucky for him there were friendly sorts wandering the forest as well. I laughed at the parade of rescuers. He is one lucky hobbit, indeed! A perfectly hobbity story for Shirebound.
Author's reply
The rangers were an afterthought, but I sort of liked having these nameless elves and men colliding with the wayward hobbit. Elbereth, looking after the ring maybe. :D
Antane · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
Ah, sweet, innocent Frodo longing for his own adventure. Oh, be careful, darling, what you long for. And I know just Who kept him from tumbling into the water. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I think Eru must have planted the desires in Bilbo and Frodo, and I love the idea of them knowing of the secret and magical paths of the elves. Thanks for reading. :>)
perelleth · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
What a wonderful idea, Nilmandra. This was a story begging to be told, indeed! of Frodo's wanderings! The SEntinel was keen on its duty, and I loved the kindness of the elf's rebuke, and the humour in the exchanges with the Rangers... II like the contrast between the magic that he is following and the concern shared by leves and rangers about why MIthrandir doubled the watch over the SHire... how blessedly ignorant the hobbits lived! :-)
Author's reply
Ignorance can be bliss! I like how the hobbits just sort of rose out of the tales of lore and did the deeds that small hands must do. The other fun thing about this tale was to do some contrasting of the different groups - elves look more elfy when they're with men and hobbits, hobbits more hobbity next to elves and men, etc. This time of listening has aroused more stories begging to be told than any other time of reading!
shirebound · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
Looking up at the twinkling stars one more time, he thought of the elves and the stars and Elbereth. Then he closed his eyes and took another step forward. Oh my goodness, what a marvelous adventure! This is indeed Bilbo's heir, and I just love all of it. Nilmandra, what a generous, lovely, magical gift. Thank you so much. I'm all a-bounce!
Author's reply
I am glad you like it. I got to this point in the FotR, where they went into the Old Forest and as I'm listening to Merry tell how he had been in, Frodo had been in once, it seemed it was just a story begging to be told. And I liked how Frodo kept up Bilbo's old habits of going to meet the elves. So this was fun, trying to figure out where the Elf Path actually was - they spoke to Tom, but I'm sure they didn't take the Ferry across the Brandywine! - and someone had to make that path up the Withywindle...
daw the minstrel · 29 March 2008 · Chapter 1: The Elf Path
Frodo felt very real to me in this. He's the tough, adventuresome hobbit that Tolkien describes. And I loved the way the elves and the men slipped along the edge of the Shire without the hobbits knowing. I wonder how much the Brandybucks knew. Now there was a bold crew.
Author's reply
I love how when they were in the forest, Merry would say don't do this, don't do that, that only makes them madder etc - he has all this experience to speak of. Then there is Frodo - he went in once, long ago, but he lets Merry lead and doesn't offer any advice. Yet he also wasn't scared of the place. So this was fun, trying to give Frodo an adventure that fits what Tolkien said and what happened at the time of the Quest.