Linda Hoyland · 17 March 2009 · Chapter 17: Fighting Stereotypes
I loved these and they are so true.Never underestimate Hobbits!
Author's reply
Indeed, it's NOT a wise decision to make! Thanks, Linda.
Only a Second or Two by Larner
Reviews (280)
Andrea · 16 March 2009 · Chapter 16: Never Say Never
Never say never indeed! Life would be boring if we couldn't change our opinions or find new aims. In fact life is like the road in old Bilbo's walking song. Or in other words: life is an adventure! We shouldn't forget that.
Author's reply
Life has a way of doing what it wants, and to the devil with what WE think we want. Thanks so, Andrea.
6336 · 16 March 2009 · Chapter 16: Never Say Never
Never make promises you are not sure you can keep! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Indeed--who hasn't found that true in our lives? Thanks, Lynda--more, of course, coming tomorrow (or even this evening!).
Linda Hoyland · 16 March 2009 · Chapter 16: Never Say Never
This is so true to life. I liked it very much.
Author's reply
And here you are NOT the only one, Linda. How many of us find ourselves having to do precisely what we'd never intended to do! Thanks.
Raksha The Demon · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 12: Preservation
The suffering of the friends and relatives he'd left behind and gone to h*ll to save had to have torn Frodo's heart. A nice nod to the loss of innocence in the Shire, and the last bit of innocence taken from Frodo.
Author's reply
I do believe that this was indeed one of the tortures Frodo did suffer in the aftermath of his return. Although at one time in his feckless youth he'd felt the Shire NEEDED shaking up, when it came to it I'm certain he never wanted anyone there seriously injured or lost. This perception of the final loss of innocence in himself must have indeed torn at him more than he thought he could bear. Again, thanks so, Raksha.
Raksha The Demon · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 14: The Promise for Next Year
Lovely look at the post-RingWar landscape from the viewpoint of Paladin Took. Very hobbity!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you like it, Raksha! And that you do find it appropriately Hobbity--that's an honor indeed.
Antane · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 15: The Question
That's a scary thought! First I thought this was an AU of Gandalf, but it's Saruman, isn't it? Scary in any case and a tragic loss of a being created for light and good. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
It could as easily have been Gandalf! Yes, this is Saruman but could have been anyone of immense personal power. Thanks so, Antane.
Lindelea · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 15: The Question
And I find a voice crying in the back of my brain, "No, don't!"
Author's reply
As do I, Lin! Thanks!
6336 · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 15: The Question
Saruman taking the first step in his faal from grace? More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Indeed, Lynda. Thanks.
Agape4Gondor · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 15: The Question
*shivers* As a matter of fact, I felt this could be either Saruman or Gandalf. Perhaps a moment of weakness on Gandalf's part (a little pride sneaking in) and then a moment of truth - and realization that he cannot take it. And then Saruman - could their have been a moment of true self-sacrifice? Hmmm I doubt it. Nicely chilling - either way.
Author's reply
It COULD have been Gandalf--yes. And you're definitely right, chilling either way!
Agape4Gondor · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 14: The Promise for Next Year
As an imbiber - I'm content! Nicely written.... I do like Paladin!
Author's reply
Even as a non-imbiber I find I can appreciate his feelings. And Paladin is a delight to write. Thank you so, Agape.
Agape4Gondor · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 12: Preservation
Sadly, I'm afraid Frodo is right - even the Shire has been corrupted. The Scouring seems to have been for naught..... I'm afraid of what he might find in the West. The Elves there (and the Valar) are not perfect either. Shees! (Yikes - that felt suspiciously like a nuzgul or plot-bunny bite!)
Author's reply
The Shire has felt its own share of the sting of the great War Frodo and Sam helped end elsewhere; but the corruption had already been there in the hearts of those like Lotho and those who collaborated with him. Now, to allow the wisdom that follows such loss of innocence to settle in. True perfection is not found within this creation, but we can choose to surmount and transcend the marring we see, and I'm certain Frodo did so even on Tol Eressea. And I'm interested in seeing where this nuzgul or bunny might take you! Heh!
Linda Hoyland · 15 March 2009 · Chapter 15: The Question
This was truly chilling!
Author's reply
Oh, I'm honored that you do, Linda! Thank you so! It was interesting to try to put myself again in the head of Saruman.
Linda Hoyland · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 14: The Promise for Next Year
I love the image of the shire flourishing.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you do, Linda. Thank you!
Linda Hoyland · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 13: What He Cannot Say
This is so sad,poor frodo has endured so many sorrows.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, you are all too right, Linda. He had too many sorrows, but found his joy in the end. Thanks so.
Linda Hoyland · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 12: Preservation
A moving glimpse of Frodo's sorrow.
Author's reply
Yes, thanks, and for the two reviews on one drabble! Heh!
Linda Hoyland · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 12: Preservation
I like the way you capture Frodo's sadness here.
Author's reply
And I'm glad you do. Thanks again, Linda.
Kitty · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 14: The Promise for Next Year
Know that feeling. Maybe not so much the crop, but to watch everything turning green and growing again in spring. It's just lovely after a long winter.
Author's reply
Yes, to see the leaf buds beginning to swell and life stirring anew is always something wonderful! Thanks, Kitty.
Kitty · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 13: What He Cannot Say
Oh Frodo! For someone so intelligent he's quite superstitious in that regard. Though I can understand why he feels that way, there's no reason to think he will not see them again beyond the circles of the world.
Author's reply
The more imaginative we are, often the more superstitions we find ourselves subscribing to and making up. But he will find them again. Thanks so, Kitty.
Kitty · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 12: Preservation
It must have seemed for Frodo that nothing had remained untouched, yes, but still, it's not true. The hobbits might have witnessed some evil things, but they're far from the extend of damage Frodo suffered through It and can live with these experiences.
Author's reply
And the Shire in the end will be the better for having gone through this. He didn't suffer in vain, at least, although it may take some time to appreciate that.
Kitty · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 11: Miscalculation
*LOL* Here I must say that I find Elrond's humour somewhat lacking if he sent them scrubbing the floor for something *I* have enjoyed!
Author's reply
I suspect they left a bit of a mess with whatever was in that pipe! Heh! Am glad it gave you a laugh. Thanks for the feedback!
Kitty · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 10: What Was Found
Very true, Larner. So sad that Frodo couldn't share Sam's approach to things!
Author's reply
Frodo was the one who was worse injured, inside and out, however. Had it not been for all the pain he'd known, I suspect he would have been better able to share Sam's POV. Thanks.
inzilbeth · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 14: The Promise for Next Year
Ah yes! As a farmer in the thick of lambing and daily willing the grass to grow faster and spring to start springing, I can really relate to this. Well done!
Author's reply
Oh, am so glad you do, Inzilbeth. Haven't helped with lambing, but have helped birth pups, kittens, and chicks. I'm certain you can appreciate this indeed. Thank you!
Lindelea · 14 March 2009 · Chapter 14: The Promise for Next Year
Ah, yes, this is the Farmer Paladin that I know and love.
Author's reply
Indeed, Lindelea. Hope you and the children are feeling better. Love to hubby and Zoe and all.
Andrea · 13 March 2009 · Chapter 13: What He Cannot Say
That is *so* sad! I can only hope that this was not the end of the conversation and that Gandalf assured him that he would indeed see all of them again one day.
Author's reply
Indeed, we can only all hope this, Andrea. Thank you.