Reviews (82)

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I am so glad you liked it and finally finished it, Elizabeth. And I am honored. Thank you so very much!

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You have me giggling, Elizabeth! So glad you are able to be with friends right now, and hope you are feeling much better. Give Szepiona my love, and I can't be certain who Leonid might marry. I think he has his eye on a woman from Dol Amroth, really. Anyway, hope she doesn't choose to punch your head! Heah! Thanks for the feedback.

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Oh, I'm glad you do like this one. It was one of those stories that started as a single-chapter tale that grew in the telling! Heh!

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Thank you so much, Agape!

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I've always loved the coronation of Aragorn, and love to be able to look at it from such a viewpoint as Hurin's. And what would those of the city think of their first looks at the great heroes who managed to get the Ring to the Sammath Naur itself? And I do suspect that Frodo and Sam still felt somewhat apart from others at this point! And my mind absolutely niggles at the smallest details! Of course they'd need latrines; and what WOULD have become of those trolls who were exposed to sudden daylight when the south winds suddenly blew away the murk? Maybe not all trolls petrify under daylght, but if any who do were used by Sauron.... Heh! That was fun to think of, too. So much work must have been going on around Minas Tirith to make things ready for the return of the army--and the King! And Faramir would have had to orchestrate so much of it! And I'm always honored to hear I've managed to move another's emotions so. Thank you!

Author's reply

Ah, again am glad you found so much to like here. The Great Eagles were supposed to have begun as the vassals of Manwe themselves, which led to much of Tolkien's opposition of one of the earlier plans to make a movie of LOTR in which the Eagles would become merely a taxi-service to speed up the quest a bit. If Hurin was Warden of the Keys, wouldn't you think there must have been rather a lot of them, and he'd be in charge of seeing the various doors would be opened only by those authorized to enter them, or entered only under the proper circumstances? It's made plain that Legolas and Gimli have developed a good deal of love and respect for Aragorn; and I do think that Legolas would wish to show particular honor toward this most Elvish Man--and it gave the chance to see another of Nerdanel's gems from "The Craft of the Elven Smith" placed. And as his people crafted the mithril corslet, of course Gimli would anticipate how others will respond to seeing it shown forth clearly! Thanks so much!

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Am so glad you found so much to appreciate here. And I don't mean to discount Boromir's abilities; but he was described as being more interested in warfare and weaponry than in actual ruling, so based it on that. Certainly that helped lead to Earnur's destruction--his pride had been stung and so he was goaded into entering what was becoming the Morgul Vale alone--to his loss--and I'm considering working that into part of my writing of "Stirring Rings"--if, of course, I can ever get through the final war between Arnor and the Witch-King! I am STILL fighting to get that chapter written! Heh! As for the tailor--you might have noted Aragorn found reason to appreciate the offer if you've read "For the Want Of...".

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Of course I don't mind more comments, Agape! Hobbits love genealogy, so it's always fun to find ways to weave it in. Merry needed to realize that if he could do the unthinkable--along with Eowyn, that it was always possible Frodo could possibly accomplish something equally unthinkable--and I'm so glad that with Gollum's help it was done. I doubt these lawyers would themselves oppose Aragorn's claim, but they would want to be certain they were properly prepared to discuss things with those who might be more resistant to the return of the monarchy. I chose to focus more on Ioreth as the inveterate chatterer, and she could indeed force bottlenecks if folks remained polite enough to seek to hear all she'd say--unless they knew that in order to get things done they'd need to break away early on. Maybe Eowyn deserves some privacy; but having already spoken with Faramir, I doubt Merry would have said less to Faramir's cousin! And I'm so glad you like that moment! It must have been beyond belief for those experiencing it as Mordor finally fell and Sauron was lost to Manwe's winds!

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You have me giggling! Plain old fashioned grunt work, I'd think! And then once Gandalf and the Elves got back to town, a fair amount of reconnaisance in search of dropped fell weapons. Imagine what Orc versions of land mines might do to an inquisitive youngster! And the U.S. is still reluctant to sign agreements foreswearing such things! So glad you like this look at Aragorn becoming King. And thanks for the feedback.

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Aragorn had the proper balance of humility and pride, each for the proper reasons, that made him the good and faithful servant that he was throughout his life; and he knows whom to honor ever. Am so glad you appreciated this, Antane. Thanks so for the feedback! Hope the end of the school year is a proper relief for you.

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Ah, but so many times on a particular site I've heard the mantra, "But Tolkien never said that happened that way," as if since it wasn't said specifically it could not have happened. Or, the next most popular comment, "But I wouldn't have written it that way," as if that individual is the only one whose imagination has validity. I'd always thought perhaps that "Conin" was another translation of Frodo's name, until it was pointed out to me that I already knew "Annun" meant west. Suddenly it hit me that Frodo and Sam here were being named "Princes of the West," and that made such a deep impression on me--obviously. I crochet, so I know all about finding some yarns that immediately speak of a particular project, and others just fit in when the proper project for them speaks to ones mind. And there are a few scraps of paper that demand a particular picture, while at times a blank file has words waiting to be revealed on it.... And thanks so much--am so glad it caught at your imagination.

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We begin to realize things as we compare notes. I don't remember for certain who it was that identified the armor Aragorn wore as having been that originally worn by Elendil, but it was noted on TheOneRing.net in the original films discussion forum, and is part of Grammaboodog's list of notations about the film (a list to which I contributed as it was being compiled, btw). And I learned the title "Princes of the West" on one encyclopedia site that lists Frodo's and Sam's titles. Glad you found these added to your knowledge as well.

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Thanks, Grumpy. Yes--what does one do with a petrified troll? Or, worse yet, a number of such oddities? I know that Dreamflower had one covered with ivy and basically ignored in the Shire (and I STILL love that one, suffering from digestive problems after dining on a rather bitter Hyacinth! Heh!), but there ought to have been several such critters left on the Pelennor! As for the peregrines--on Animal Rescue today they found themselves banding three female chicks found in a nest tucked up under a bridge in the midwest, commenting that most of the peregrines found are found nesting in urban settings, usually under bridges or on the sides of buildings, mentioning such nests have been found in a number of cities across the nation. The chicks were a few weeks old and still downy, but were much larger already than a large pigeon--about the size of a full grown grey gull, or possibly even larger. And the cleanup must have been terrible! Heh!

Author's reply

Yes, this is all from the POV of Hurin, and I'm glad it thrills you. The story is now complete, and author's notes will go up this weekend. And while you're at it, check out the last few stories in "'Neath Anor, Ithil, and Gil" as one is another Hurin story, and the other two are of the future of Gondor as Aragorn gives over rule to his son. And I do love Gondor as well as Shire and Bree stories! Heh!

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Yes, Galador is here once more! So glad you appreciate him! So MUCH is changing now! And I agree that Faramir did the only thing he could to satisfy everyone. Am glad you like the recognition of fraternity between Frodo and Aragorn; I think someone as perceptive as Hurin would see it swiftly. I managed to shove your bunny into another story. At first the original bunny started to protest, then recognized a litter brother and appeared excited to welcome him. It will be posted about the fourteenth, I think. I have the final three chapters of Stirring Rings finished now, but am still having difficulties getting Bucca and his fellows out onto the field of battle....

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Thank you so, Harrowcat. I do try to make things in keeping with the culture, at least; in this case where there'd been no king for a thousand years, do you really send the new applicant up into the Hallows to bring it out himself? Indeed, in his explanation, Faramir states he purposely brought it out against tradition. There doesn't appear to have been a true public coronation ceremony in Numenorian and Gondorian tradition, if the son usually accepted the crown from his father's hands either just before or just after he died; there was probably some sort of official recognition of the new ruler, so in "Light On the Way" I have the "local" recognition with the Eldarion walking out onto the promontory over the city so all can see he does indeed wear the Winged Crown; and probably there would be an official final internment and a day or period appointed for the lords of the realm to come to the capital to renew their vows of loyalty and allegiance to the new ruler, and during which time officials from other lands might come to pay their respects to the deceased ruler and then eyeball the new one. We get to play with so many ideas, as Tolkien left them so sketchy. As for Galador--he's way out of his element, I fear. Heh! I so appreciate the prayers. I'll be spending tomorrow with her--we're already finding the personnel at the nursing home where she's being evaluated have failed to take into account some of our client's current limitations. So I will be there to make certain she gets some lunch and dinner, at least. It's going to be a touchy process, I fear. Hope your mother's enjoyed her holiday, and the same for your father.

Author's reply

Thank you, Linda. It's nice to give some substance to what are merely heroic names in the book. And I'm glad that Tasariel has made it into this story, although I hadn't given her a name as yet. I suppose now I know that name! (Grinning!)

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I so agree, Soledad. The daughters are partly based on my younger sister and myself. I was such a bossy thing as a child in many ways. and such changes as they would have found would be very worrisome, I suspect, to the two of them. Endore, the insecure mother who is certain she's supposed to do everything and boss everything but who keeps finding that life has its own surprises--the self-willed yet proper daughter who's chosen a proper lord for a husband--but he has but one arm? Am so glad she tickles you, as I'm entertaining another plotbunny who wears rather garish, rhinestone glasses. Galador has appeared in several stories, although he didn't take a truly definable shape until I wrote "The Acceptable Sacrifice." He knows the changes are necessary; but this new time is such a shock to his personal sensibilities as to what one OUGHT to do and how things OUGHT to be done! And when someone actually thanks him for what he has done and does well he's always a bit taken aback, I find. As for Denethor--he was, from what we can tell, an excellent Steward for the most part--just envious of the one who, I believe, would have delighted to think of him as another adopted brother. And between his envy and his final insecurities Sauron was able to trick him into exposing himself. Thanks so much, and am working on the next chapter today. Have been distracted by my work, and it appears we may be losing one of my clients. It hurts when that happens.

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Oh, I love to explore Minas Tirith as much as I do the Shire, I find. And it's wonderful to explore through a particular point of view, I find. The children in this case are somewhat based on my sister and me when we were little and close. I miss those days a good deal. And I'm always pleased when someone explores after an absence! Thanks for the comments--I do appreciate them!

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Thank you so, Shirebound! Yes, an event to remember, and an odd kinship to explore. Both Aragorn and Frodo have been set apart, and thus have that isolated dignity in common--which must have been a bit of a relief for Frodo as he sought to rebuild himself. And Hurin and his family have this to share.

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Well, what other bird WOULD it be, Lindelea? Heh! Of course peregrines! And this is based on a pair that nested repeatedly in downtown Seattle. And am so glad you find the children believable. There would be uncertainty as well as rejoicing, and such a feeling of relief to find out what kind of King they now had! I'll probably be down next month--after this last week I need a week off, I think. One of my clients has had a tremendous setback, and I'm still shaken at how fast her condition can progress. And may the children love their visit to the replica of a Spanish exploring ship! Give them and the hubby and Zoe my love!

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Well, of COURSE it would be peregrine falcons? What else? Although actually a pair of such birds made a repeated point of nesting several years in a row on a ledge of a high-rise in Seattle, as has happened elsewhere. I was to include a nest in the story, so I had to pay tribute to those falcons that love high places and seem to see little difference between a window ledge and a ledge on a cliff or bluff. Cleaning up the Pelennor must at times have felt like an overwhelming job. Am so glad they appear to have managed by the time the camp for the returning army was set up. And I decided to write Ioreth more in keeping with her endless chatter during the coronation in the book this time, and found it fun. Our minister's older daughter once talked him into allowing her to stay by him as he celebrated Communion during a small, rather intimate weekday service; she may never forget it--I KNOW I never will, and how her little sister crawled away from their mother and over kneelers and under pews and then under the altar rail to set her older sister off and disrupt the service. I'll never forget Sharon carrying Katie off, once she'd finally been recaptured, explaining, "You don't bug Daddy in the middle of a service!" while Meggie settled down and returned to bouncing from foot to foot and her father resumed the service, almost shaking with mortification and frustration. For Beruthien, to be able to be by her daddy and see what he does, and to learn first-hand how much her dad honored the new King, and to have the King pay attention to her as if she mattered--which she did, to such as Aragorn--would have been so important after all the changes and uncertainty they've all known. Am so glad this chapter appears to have delighted you, Kitty.

Author's reply

Do you think, perhaps, he might have assigned that room to the twins? Or if they might have chosen it? We've had peregrine falcons nest on high-rise buildings in downtown Seattle, and I've heard of them in similar situations elsewhere across the States as well. When I learned I was to include a birds nest in this story, the idea of the falcons nesting on a bank building in Seattle just hit me, and that had to be written in. And he has found himself welcomed by one who remembers him with gladness, and I myself am glad it wasn't all folk he had to convince.

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The one who planned the crystal reliquary in which to keep Galadriel's hairs must have been an excellent craftsman, I'm certain. And who better to "hear" the voices of metal and jewels than a Dwarf, created by Mahal just of that purpose? I, too, love the thought of Hurin's present. And now you've set still another plotbunny loose! How am I to manage them all! Author Reply: Hee! I've found a way to incorporate that little plotbunny into another challenge I'd just finished! So, look for it in a few weeks! Hope you enjoy it once you see it. Sometimes you have to wed certain plotbunnies and nuzguls to keep them from bounding about too rampantly, I find! After all, "The Acceptable Sacrifice" started out as two sizable nuzguls with a few bunnies thrown into the mix as well! Heh!

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Unfortunately neither Frodo nor Sam figures strongly in this tale, but what is there of our Sam is intended to be appropriate to the marvelous Hobbit! So glad you approve.