utfrog · 22 December 2009 · Chapter 21: 21 - The Star
This is just great! Thanks
Author's reply
And thank you, Utfrog.
A Deck of Heroes by Larner
Reviews (188)
Andrea · 21 December 2009 · Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
That was a surprise for old Gaffer Gamgee (or should I say a shock?)! What Frodo did turned Hamfast's view of the Shire upside down! It will take him a while to adjust to the new position of his son. But after that he will be able to fully appreciate it.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree, Andrea! Definitely a shock to the old fellow's worldview! And a surprise to realize just how high in Frodo's esteem his son is. And you're right--he will come to appreciate it in the end.
Kitty · 21 December 2009 · Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
That was a bit unexpected for the Gaffer *grin* Would have loved to see his face when Rosie told him who was now Master of Bag End!
Author's reply
I bet it was a study indeed, Kitty. So good to hear from you!
Virtuella · 21 December 2009 · Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
I'm glad that you're highlighting this aspect of the story. It's one of the things that trouble me about LOTR, that after all the upheaval, the sacrifices and the unbelievable efforts to overthrow evil, the class structures of Middle-earth's societies and the associated inequality remain entirely unchanged. It is *only* Frodo who - albeit in a completely private context - changes that in any way. Thanks for bringing this aspect to our attention.
Author's reply
Actually, there are at least three major changes in social status I am aware of within the story. Sam goes from servant class to gentry due to Frodo; Beregond goes from lowly guard to Captain of Faramir's guards and troops due to Aragorn, and Eomer goes from dependent kinsman to King of Rohan, a role I doubt he ever considered possibly coming to him as long as his cousin was alive. But there within the Shire it is Frodo alone who actively and openly seeks to change things, as you note--although in my-verse Frodo follows Bilbo, the Thain, and the Master of the Hall in offering education to all who desire it so that hopefully those who do wish to better themselves will be able to do so. Also, in my-verse, the Bagginses receive the first fortune that marks the family as prominent and "rich" from an ancestor of Sam Gamgee, who chooses to give the treasure given him by Aranarth at the end of the war with Angmar to the widow and child of his late Baggins patron as wereguild for Longo's death. In this way, I have that blessing returning full circle back to Sam's family.
cookiefleck · 21 December 2009 · Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
Very nice, and heartwarming.
Author's reply
Am so glad you think so, Cookiefleck! Thank you! Frodo had a good deal of love for Sam, I'd think, and particularly by this time.
Dreamflower · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
I can imagine Hamfast's astonishment. In his view of the world, the classes didn't change-- I can believe he'd be stunned to realize his son has been gentrified.
Author's reply
It must have been a great shock indeed, Dreamflower! Yes, Sam is no longer merely a gardener, but a person of true importance not only within the Shire but throughout the outer world besides. Thanks so for the comments.
shirebound · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 20: 20 - When Archetypes Love: Emperor and Hanged Man
adopted him as his brother What a perfect way to describe it.
Author's reply
Frodo left Sam to do what he could not do within the Shire; how better to accomplish this than by adopting Sam as his brother? Am so glad you approve!
shirebound · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 19: 19 - The Tower
the earth itself resented the torment it had known under Sauron’s tyranny, and could resent those who caused it distress--before at last it relaxed and slept under its true Master’s hand. What a fascinating POV to share.
Author's reply
I've never done the POV of a mountain before, so it was interesting to write this. But looking at various versions of the Tower card, many of them with a disintegrating or burning tower or building with two individuals falling or fleeing from it, it seemed to me that Mt. Doom with Frodo and Sam huddled near its foot would be the perfect candidate for this ficlet. Thanks so, Shirebound!
Andrea · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 19: 19 - The Tower
The mountain is caught in a case of indigestion of cosmic proportions, forced to swallow the foulness formed in its fires an age and a half past. Wow! What a powerful description!
Author's reply
Am so glad you find it so, Andrea. Thank you!
Dreamflower · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 19: 19 - The Tower
Larner, what a brilliant interpretation of this prompt! I don't think I would ever have expected to read a drabble from the POV of Mt. Doom before. The "indigestion" metaphor was beautifully done, as was the use of Aule at the end.
Author's reply
I read a wonderful ficlet for this prompt written by Raksha the Demon, looking at the fall of the Tower of Barad-dur; I didn't want to look as if I were merely copying her, and after all, it was in the Sammath Naur where the true seat of his power was to be found. But if Sauron tortured the earth itself to reach his ends, how glad it must have been to be rid of him in the end; and who better to ease it than the true Lord of the Earth? Thanks so much!
Dreamflower · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 18: 18 - The Devil
It *is* interesting that Gollum never faded, in spite of centuries of using the Ring to become invisible while he killed other creatures. JRRT never truly explains it, except by a vague reference to "hobbit toughness". And since Sauron's never heard of the Race, he has no idea what he's up against. Zigur? I don't believe I've heard that name before. I'm not one to normally pity Gollum, but in these circumstances, I certainly do. He'd truly be in torment just to be in the Dark Lord's presence, over and above whatever foul means were used to loosen his tongue.
Author's reply
I suspect that the fact that Gollum chose not to wear the Ring twenty-four/seven may also have contributed to him retaining a humanoid appearance, as well as the now legendary Hobbit toughness. Zigur is the name that Sauron used when he was taken prisoner to Numenor, managing to move out of prisoner mode into becoming Ar-Pharazon's primary councillor. He was also known during his history as Aulendil and Mairon, which was his initial name, apparently, according to Tolkien's notes. When they find the White Hand and S rune in TTT, it's noted that this would not be a sign of Sauron as he never allowed that name to be spoken or spelled; it somehow seems likely he would enjoy using the name he held at the time of his last great triumph. I find, with both Bilbo and Frodo, that I DO pity Gollum. But you are certainly right about just being in Sauron's presence was torture enough!
Virtuella · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 19: 19 - The Tower
"a case of indigestion of cosmic proportions" - what a great turn of phrase!
Author's reply
Am glad you enjoyed it, Virtuella. I admit to having been a bit overtired when I wrote it, but felt it fit!
Virtuella · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 17: 17 - Temperance
Ah, yes, silly me, "newly made Queen of Gondor." I thought, because Glorfindel mentions struggles yet to come, this was Imladris after Glorfindel saved Frodo from the Ringwraiths. I need to read more carefully.
Author's reply
I suspect that Glorfindel had his own measure of foresight, and that he realized there were struggles yet to be faced by Frodo once he returned home. But I suspect that both of Arwen's grandfathers were keeping an eye on Frodo at that point.
Kitty · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 19: 19 - The Tower
The destruction following the Ring going into the fire must have been spectacular, to say the least. I can well see Aulë having a hand in containing the damage and making sure the devastation didn't reach the 'good guys' and endanger them.
Author's reply
One of my favorite visuals from RotK is Aragorn and those surrounding him watching with awe as Aule shakes down all the signs of the might of Mordor, once the Ring is destroyed. Aule must have been delighted to be allowed finally to do the equivalent of selective surgery on the area to destroy those signs!
Kitty · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 18: 18 - The Devil
Well, Hobbits have to be made of stronger stuff than men, considering how long not only Gollum, but later Bilbo and Frodo resisted - and the One had to be much stronger than the Nine, I'd think.
Author's reply
Oh, I so agree, Kitty. We know that Hobbits lived longer than Men, and that they recovered more easily and quickly from more serious injuries. And the Ring held so much of Sauron's own being, after all! Thanks so much for all your comments this morning!
Kitty · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 17: 17 - Temperance
Hm, that's an interesting comparison between Frodo and Glorfindel. You're right, both have faced terrors no one can really imagine; after struggling with the Ring for so long and after facing a balrog respectively, there can't be much left you can fear.
Author's reply
Am so glad you agree, Kitty. Thanks so!
Kitty · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 16: 16 - Death
Sauron’s gift transformed him not into the godling he sought to become, but instead into the very form he’d feared most, trapping within the plane of mortality a spirit intended to eventually go free while allowing the body to lose its integrity. That sums it up nicely, Larner. It must have been a fate much worse than death.
Author's reply
Oh, yes, indeed a fate worse than death! How betrayed the Nazgul must have felt when they realized they were being transformed so!
Kitty · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 15: 15 - The Hanged Man
He was disappointed to wake to the realization that he was yet alive within this world, I think. Very true, I think. He had really meant to sacrifice himself. He received little honor and less understanding from his own people for all he had sacrificed for them. Which is exactly what annoyed me the most - that he was so loved and respected by everyone all over Rohan, Gondor and Arnor, but with the exception of the Shire ... But at least he had the chance to live on Tol Eressëa, to heal there and enjoy his life, even if he could not stay in the Shire and have the family he had craved. Better than dying in the Sammath Naur.
Author's reply
After all he'd been through, to waken back in the body he'd thought he'd quit must have been such a shock. And to return to the Shire and find that no one there cared to truly know what happened outside it--or at the most only a very few--may have seemed in some ways a relief but at some level must have been a disappointment at the same time. But I am so glad he was allowed to find both his peace and his joy again! Thanks so, Kitty.
Kitty · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 14: 14 - Strength
That must have been one of the best days in their lifes, learning that the Travellers were back, alive and well! And very typical of Esme to take good care of the messengers. It must have been hard for her to have to wait, not being able to just run off to see her son and his friends again.
Author's reply
Oh, yes--their son and former foster son and nephew and Sam are back, alive and apparently well! What a relief that must have been, in spite of the four deciding straight off to confront Lotho rather than coming "home!" You are so right, Kitty!
Virtuella · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 18: 18 - The Devil
Most interesting indeed. ;-) Ah, those Hobbits, they're tough!
Author's reply
That they are, Virtuella. Thanks!
Virtuella · 20 December 2009 · Chapter 17: 17 - Temperance
You had me confused there for a moment, when I wondered why Celebron would be in Imladris. But then I worked out who her *other* grandfather is. Very clever! :)
Author's reply
Yes, the *two* Evenstars look on Frodo that evening, although Celeborn was there in Minas Tirith for their wedding, too. Remember, this was just after Arwen and Aragorn were married by Elrond.
Linda Hoyland · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 18: 18 - The Devil
This was very chilling!
Author's reply
Am so glad you agree, Linda. Thanks so!
Hildigrim · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 17: 17 - Temperance
I like your deck generally, and this card very much indeed. Arwen's key comment on Frodo (and Glorfindel) -- "He no longer fears" -- in your story is interesting in light of the following passage from The Return of the King: “And Frodo when he saw her come glimmering in the evening, with stars on her brow and a sweet fragrance about her, was moved with great wonder, and he said to Gandalf: 'At last I understand why we have waited! This is the ending. Now not day only shall be beloved, but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all its fear pass away!'” Arwen sees the extinction of fear as a verb looking at Frodo, while he infers the end of it as a noun -- an attribute of the night -- while looking at her.
Author's reply
What a wonderful connection you have found there. I will admit that passage had been ringing in my heart; but the look at fear as verb or noun is one I'd not thought on. Thanks for adding to my own insight into meanings beyond what I'd intended, but are still there to be drawn. Thanks so very much, Hildigrim.
Dreamflower · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 17: 17 - Temperance
Beautiful! Arwen has so much insight and compassion-- as well as a debt of gratitude to the Ringbearer-- that makes her see truly.
Author's reply
Oh, I agree--she and Aragorn own Frodo their finally achieved bliss. Am so glad this moved you, Dreamflower.
Linda Hoyland · 18 December 2009 · Chapter 17: 17 - Temperance
A very apt comparison.
Author's reply
Am so glad you think so, Linda. Thank you.