Baggins Babe
· 8 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
*applause* Oh Shirebound, what a perfect way to end this lovely story. I love the way you tie everything back into canon and bring in Arwen's jewel.
You portray the budding friendship between Legolas and Gimli quite marvellously - it seems so 'right' somehow.
Apologies if reviews have been a little tardy recently. RL has been absolutely chaotic!
Author's reply
I'm really pleased that you like the ending! And I completely understand about RL... it took me a whole year to finish this story, I can't believe it. Thank you so much. :)
galimeril
· 8 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
awww! I'm so sad to see this end!!! I just adored your story, congratulations on a job superbly done! I look forward to reading more by you!
Galimeril ;D
Author's reply
Thank you very much! :D
Grey Wonderer
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
That was the perfect ending to a lovely story. I am sorry there will be no more chapters of it because I really was enjoying it. : )
This may be one of my favorite stories regarding the relationship between Legolas and Gimli. I like how you build the friendship without getting sappy. Lovely!
Thank you for an enjoyable read!
Author's reply
I appreciate that! I didn't want to portray 'sappy' at all, but rather give Gimli and Legolas lots of room to squabble while at the same time building a relationship of respect and mutual understanding.
Estelcontar
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
That was a most charming ending to a most enjoyable story. I really liked explanation for the white gemstone Arwen gifted Frodo with.
Thanks for writing this wonderful tale.
Author's reply
I debated back and forth about that gemstone, but the Professor never said where it came from, did he? :)
Thank you very much for reading and commenting. This was a fun adventure.
harrowcat
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
Great finish Shirebound. Now I want to transfer it to my ebook reader so that I can read it properly. Hope that is ok. I will come back with a review. Thanks for putting your wrists through writing this for us to enjoy.
Author's reply
Thanks, Harrowcat. Enjoy it on your ebook!
I appreciate the shout-out to my wrists. They really need a break. Oh well, hobbits are worth any price. :)
Inzilbeth
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
Ah, a lovely ending to a lovely story. Thank you for writing this.
Author's reply
Thank you for your lovely comments. :)
Andrea
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
Waters that had once travelled silently in the darkness could now tumble freely into the valley of Imladris, where they were touched by the subtle influence of Vilya. They sang with joy, and limitless possibilities, and unbounded hope.
Beautifully expressed, Shirebound!
I enjoyed this story a great deal. Too bad it's already over.
Thank you very much for writing it!
Author's reply
I appreciate you highlighting that passage. I feel that everything in the Professor's world could have a form of consciousness.
Thank you again, Andrea, for all your support and lovely comments.
curiouswombat
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
What a good ending to a good tale. I thoroughly enjoyed it - thank you.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! *beams*
Dreamflower
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
What a wonderful, beautiful and hopeful ending to your story!
This whole story was a marvel-- the whole thing fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle, each character and each plot point working just right with all of the others. I love the way you had the Fellowship bonding, and your subtle use of the powers that both Elrond and Gandalf wielded.
To make something that would lend hope and comfort to his friends is so like Gandalf.
I am only sorry that it had to come to an end, but then, it didn't really? That was the other great thing-- the way you blended it back into canon just so.
A great gapfiller!!! It's definitely going to be one that I re-read often!
Author's reply
Thank you, Dreamflower! What a lovely thing to say. I do try very hard to weave a 'tapestry' that feels complete. It's very satisfying to know that it works, and that you enjoyed this tale so much. The theme of 'bonding' is right up there with 'comfort', for me. :)
cookiefleck
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
Well, this is a fitting and satisfying ending to the story. I got a kick out of the way you incorporated the idea of the hobbits' keen hearing, and liked all of the maneuvering with the heavy basket.
The story (LOTR, fan fiction, etc.) always comes back to Sam for me. You had him "aghast" at Merry's comment about the boat and that's probably true to canon for varous reasons. But most of all it reinforces in a small way the larger picture: that Sam saw everything with open eyes, knew the danger ahead of him and did not embrace it... yet did not shirk from what he perceived as his responsibilities and - as we know from the books - ultimately achieved to greatness by dint of being steadfast, brave and selfless.
Congratulations on finishing the story and thanks for an exciting and satisfying read!
Author's reply
I really like your analysis of Sam, and agree with it. True courage is *knowing* the danger, yet walking to meet it all the same... because it simply has to be done.
(I have an idea for a somewhat unusual Sam h/c story, but no promises as to when it might appear!)
Thank you for reading and commenting. I'm really glad you found this exciting and satisfying!
lbilover
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
Oh, I'm sorry to see this lovely story end. But I love how you tied up the loose ends and brought Arwen's gift to Frodo into the story! That was so imaginatively done, and it could indeed have happened. There was so much poignancy in that scene in the cave where Gandalf touches Narya to the stone. His foreknowledge of his own fall was heartbreaking. I love, too, how you brought the Mirrormere into the story. I always wondered why Gimli asked Frodo to go with him. Now I know. :)
Thank you for a wonderful adventure, Shirebound.
Author's reply
Thank *you*! I love finding a way to pull all the loose threads together at the end of a story, and shine a light on 'hope'. I'm really happy you enjoyed reading this.
6336
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
Been waiting a long time for this to come to a happy conclusion, now It has I wish it could go on for a lot longer, I will miss it!
Lynda
Author's reply
Thank you for all your support, Lynda. I'll miss it too!
Cairistiona
· 7 January 2010
· Chapter 19: Let the River Run
Ahhhhh. What a satisfying close to a wonderful tale. I love all the ties to the journey of the Fellowship. Gandalf's musings were wrenching to read, knowing what will happen. And I was hoping there might be a glimpse of Aragorn and Arwen on the new bridge and you gave us one! Yay! And the ending line with Aragorn was perfect.
Congrats on finishing a very lovely story. I enjoyed every chapter!
Author's reply
Thank you so much! I just couldn't imagine writing this story without Aragorn. I'm really happy you enjoyed the ending. :)
Grumpy
· 6 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
I like the idea of what a proper lenght of speach should be. I like them short, so the food is there all the sooner.
Glad that Bilbo is for Aragorn and Awren getting together.
Author's reply
I agree about the speeches! We just had a company holiday party, and all the speeches were wonderfully short. :)
Antane
· 6 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
A chapter just brimming with joy, peace and comfort and just a hint of the angst to come. Thanksgiving indeed! Love most that Bilbo is off writing again - a hobbit after my heart, just as his heartson is. :)
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Joy, peace and comfort... they all deserve it. Thank you, Antane.
Bilbo has the heart of a poet and a scribe. It's wonderful that his destiny led him to Rivendell, where he's appreciated at last.
Althea
· 6 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
It's a wonderful treat to see the Fellowship relaxed and sharing a time of happiness and safety. I love Sam's observation about Legolas and Gimli's arguing. The little gardener is good at seeing the heart of a situation. I've enjoyed this story very much.
Author's reply
Dear Sam. As this unlikely friendship blossoms unseen by most, his gardener's heart already senses it.
I'm so happy you've enjoyed this, Althea. One more chapter to go, I think.
GamgeeFest
· 6 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
What a lovely feast, fit to feed a hobbit! Legolas and Gimli arguing is hilarious! They're like an old married couple already. ;)
Author's reply
An old married couple! I love that. :)
shelley6441
· 6 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
Thank you for another wonderful chapter, SB. The bickering between Gimli and Legolas made me laugh. And hobbits together at table over a feast is pure delight.
Shelley
Author's reply
Oh Shelley, thank you. I'm so happy this is making you smile.
Lily Baggins
· 3 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
Oh, this is adorable! I love seeing the Fellowship all together---before they really officially are a Fellowship. The feast looked absolutely lovely---you have such wonderful descriptions of the decorations and the food! And I had to giggle at the others passing food over to Frodo in an attempt to make sure he eats enough!
“Lucky who?” Frodo said, distracted by the sight of servers bearing large, frosted cakes and a variety of pies into the hall.
Hee hee hee... I'd be distracted, too!
What a darling lighthearted chapter after all the troubles they've been through. They deserve it!
Author's reply
Thanks, Lily! You know I can't resist straining the 'fluff' meter as certain stories wind down. All of them really do deserve a break from anxiety, and food... glorious food. (I still go back to read your "Goat Man of Chetwood" story to wallow in all the bounty you write about!)
Inzilbeth
· 3 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
Oh delightful, and the last lines most especially! I'm so pleased Aragorn made it to this feast this time. It was very kind of you to arrange another for him! I did enjoy Elrond's speech too.
A most satisfying read in every way. Thank you.
Author's reply
Aragorn deserves a feast! I'm really glad you enjoyed this. :)
Baggins Babe
· 3 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
What a banquet, Shirebound. Wish I'd been there. Glad to see that Frodo and Sam are both recovering, and that Legolas is also doing well - assisted by some squabblinbg with Gimli, no doubt.
The desriptions of the candles and the bowls of gems were wonderful and magical. Great chapter, as usual.
Author's reply
Thank you so much. I had a wonderful time trying to imagine that room and what this special feast might be like. I wish we could all attend!
Grey Wonderer
· 3 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
A lovely feast! I liked Bilbo's 'as safe as a Baggins can be' line. They do seem to find trouble, those Bagginses. Great chapter!
Author's reply
Thanks so much! Bilbo speaks lightly, but his heart is full of love.
Estelcontar
· 2 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
What a charming and delightful lighthearted chapter. It's good to see them all enjoying the company of each other and having some joyful moments before leaving on such a terrible and difficult journey.
I love the way you portray Aragorn and Arwen together.
Author's reply
Thank you very much. Everyone deserves a joyful evening, including a certain Elf-princess and her noble Ranger. Romantic scenes aren't my strong suit, so it's wonderful to hear that they're coming across well. :)
lbilover
· 2 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
Well, after reading about the feast, I'm very hungry. :) It's lovely to see Arwen take a bigger role and I enjoy the banter between Gimli and Legolas so much. And awww, Frodo and Sam napping together! So cute!! :D
Thank you for another wonderful chapter! I feel quite certain that this all happened, but the Professor forgot to include it in the book.
Author's reply
Awwww, thank you! What a wonderful thing to say. And thank goodness for fanfic, or Arwen would never get to do anything but sit around and sew banners.
I was going to have Sam back in his own room by now, but... where's the fun in that? :)
Andrea
· 2 December 2009
· Chapter 18: Thanksgiving
“It’s all right, Mr. Merry,” Sam said confidently. “I think they were doing this in the cave, too. They’re not really angry, they’re just… well, that’s how they talk to each other sometimes.”
LOL!!! That's it, exactly! Clever Sam!
Great chapter!
I liked Arwen's arrangements for the feast, the candle ceremony and Elrond's speech, especially his words to the two startled Elven smiths. They had a very important task to do.
Author's reply
Sam's confidence in his friends is unshakeable! It's been fun bringing him, Legolas, and Gimli together.
Thank you very much, Andrea. I kept adding little details, trying to imagine how this evening might have gone.