Reviews (87)

Claudia · 2 October 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

This was really beautiful. I had this bookmarked for quite some time because someone had pointed this out to me and I'm glad I came back to it. What a unique way of looking at the fellowship and all their strengths and weaknesses! Well done!

Linda Hoyland · 15 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

i loved this story and hope you will return soon to Tolkien's world.

Grey Wonderer · 14 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

I loved every word AU or not. Time is relative and when the elves are involved it is very hard to say what might be correct.

Grey Wonderer · 14 September 2008 · Chapter 8: The Eighth Cloak

That gave me chills. That was beautiful and the foreshadowing was perfect. This was lovely.

Soledad · 12 September 2008 · Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak

Oh, Boromir! How do I mourn for you...

Soledad · 12 September 2008 · Chapter 4: The Fourth Cloak

The curse was hilarious. I could just see poor Gimli running across Rohan barefooted...

Soledad · 12 September 2008 · Chapter 0: Prologue

This is lovely! A little it remainds me of the fairy godmothers from Sleeping Beauty, you know. :)

Pipkin Sweetgrass · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

I absolutely loved this story. I found it recced by Dreamflower at her LJ. I'll be reading this one again. Of course Pippin's and Boromir's blessing truly touched my heart. And both of their blessings took. Pippin grew to meet his challenges..and Boromir, in the end, remained true, helping Pippin reach his maturity to it's grandest. At least that's how I see it. All of them we lovely and I thank you. And I do not object to Au in the least. That's when we take the action figures out of the toy box and make up our own stories, dear!

Antane · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

I love that the maidens would continue to send their blessings - the Company may have never known how much love and how many prayers they were wrapped up in, but what a wonderful story you've made to show it to us. And not to worry about the time 'problem', as we all know time passes very differently in Elven lands. Consider this gap-filler and not AU. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Antane · 11 September 2008 · Chapter 8: The Eighth Cloak

The chapter I've been waiting for! :) I actually read this two days ago and didn't have time to write a review. More lovely blessings and sorely needed and certainly come to pass if peace could be found which we have to believe it was in his new home. Very nice. You had balked at considering God's Presence in the tale in one of my other reviews. Well we must remember who wrote this tale first, that the Professor translated, a hobbit unaware of his Creator so He wouldn't be mentioned directly, but truly God is everywhere, “that one ever-present Person who is never absent and never named" as one admirer said when the story was first published. (Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, p. 253). There is ample evidence throughout of that Presence of which I will not go into here or it will be longest review of all time! If you are intrigued to learn more about this "fundamentally religious and Catholic work" as the professor himself termed it, I highly recommend The Battle for Middle-earth by Fleming Rutledge, The Gospel According to Tolkien by Ralph Wood, Following Gandalf by Matthew Dickerson, The Philosophy of Tolkien by Peter Kreeft and *ahem* my own paper on the topic that is here on SOA, The Fiat of Iluvatar's Children During the War of the Ring, that I wrote for the 2008 Tolkien Society Seminar. I am writing a whole book on the spirituality contained in the Red Book and if you are so inclined to pray for it and for me, I'd be most appreciative! Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

cookiefleck · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

Excellent ending. I noticed you mentioned discworld fics... where do you archive those?

Inzilbeth · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

So if Gandalf arrives the day after the Fellowship leaves and doesn't meet Aragorn for another 13 days, hopefully that length of cloth will still find a good use. This has been such a unique story and so beautifully written throughout. And I wouldn't worry about the time. As Larner has pointed out, this is entirely in keeping with how Tolkien wrote about Lothlorien.

Esquire_of_Rohan · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

Very good. I really enjoyed this story.

Dreamflower · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

Such a fitting epilogue! I love the idea that Galadriel herself would have made Gandalf's cloak, and that she sees him in her mirror. I quite agree that the maidens were very perceptive. I don't see that as having knowledge of the future, nor of taking away from the canon characters' own inherent qualities--but rather as an enhancement of what they would need, to ease their spirits when "crunch time" came. As to the AU-ness, I had not actually noticed it until you pointed it out! So it must not be too obvious. Still, it could be canon if the maidens had taken a few weeks to observe their guests before they began to sew during the last week. And would explain their perceptiveness about the characters of those who would receive them... A beautiful story, and one I will gladly rec to others!

Dreamflower · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 8: The Eighth Cloak

Oh my! I love Faenchiriel! Yes, she is right--all of the other gifts are gifts Frodo already has in abundance: endurance, determination, inner strength, luck--those are what he has to accomplish his task. Why bless him with more of the same, unless his task is the only important thing about him? But she sees beyond the quest, realizes that he is meant to be a sacrifice, and so she counters it all with just the right blessing. It will not prevent his wounding, nor his spirit being scoured, but it will return him to life and healing. It reminds me a little of the story of Sleeping Beauty--the evil fairy's curse of death turned into an enchanted sleep by the good godmother. Evil may not be wholly abated, or made as if it had never been--that would cheapen the sacrifice which conquers it. But when you think that all of the Great basically expected Frodo to die on his task (and I think Frodo expected that as well) then perhaps Faenchiriel's blessing was what caused the Valar to have mercy and send the Eagles... It's possible.

Larner · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

In thinking of time not being sensed properly by those within the Golden Wood you ARE following Tolkien. Sam couldn't believe it had been a full month they'd stayed there, remember. There is a timelessness to the land. It's part of why I have Frodo, once he's on Tol Eressea, not being able to do much more than tell the season of the year--he loses track of how much time has truly passed because, being a mortal, he cannot fully appreciate how Elves keep track of time within a land that feels timeless to him. Caught in the apparent timelessness of the Undying Lands he only realizes a good deal of time has passed by the time he begins to look for Sam's arrival. He has little idea of when birthdays come and go, and is aware of midsummer and midwinter only because of what celebrations might be held then. So, don't sweat the question of time in this story. Tolkien himself led the way, remember.

shirebound · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

There would have been enough for one more cloak, and she herself would have sewn it. *applauds* Beautiful story! I'm very impressed, and very grateful you've shared such a unique and wonderful tale with us.

shirebound · 10 September 2008 · Chapter 8: The Eighth Cloak

I will wish him healing, when all is over. May he find peace, and wholeness, and a lasting home. This is perfect. What a wonderful story you're weaving!

Larner · 9 September 2008 · Chapter 9999: Epilogue

Ah, but it was a month--new moon to new moon, and they noted no moon while within the borders of that land. That at the end of their stay there should be seven days given to the making of the cloaks worked for me. I'd not thought of them starting on day one, actually. I find myself wondering precisely what Galadriel has sensed--it's too early for the confrontation between Frodo and Boromir; too early for the moment of agony as Frodo sits on the Seat of Seeing and realizes he is balanced between the unrecognized attention of Gandalf and the all too obvious attention of Sauron. And I don't think she would tremble in what appears to be concern at the realization that Gandalf has been sent back. Interesting! Now I want some more.

Larner · 9 September 2008 · Chapter 8: The Eighth Cloak

Indeed the gift he will need. A stranger in a strange land not intended for such as he, but one where he will be embraced and know such love and caring as can be given him. Alas for Frodo and what he must sacrifice....

Unheard Chime · 7 September 2008 · Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak

I have read what you have so far of your story, and I wanted to tell you that I think it's one of the more creative and well written things I've read in the LotR fandom! Well done! Clearly each chapter has been carefully thought out... I like the way you matched the elven maidens' names to the names of their corresponding Fellowship member. I didn't notice until the most recent chapter. I am really looking forward to Frodo's chapter.

cookiefleck · 7 September 2008 · Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak

I've been enjoying your work here and although my reading path usually leads straight to Samwise, I believe that the Boromir entry is the best you've posted so far. Very well done. Looking forward to more.

Esquire_of_Rohan · 7 September 2008 · Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak

Very well done!

Grey Wonderer · 7 September 2008 · Chapter 7: The Seventh Cloak

Poor Boromir! Perhaps the wish for the cloak was what helped him in the end. This is such a lovely story.

Grey Wonderer · 7 September 2008 · Chapter 6: The Sixth Cloak

Throughout the entire time on the Quest it is Merry who seems so upset that he is unable to do more and is left behind at times. This chapter really fits his character.