Sundry Scrolls IV by Raksha The Demon
curiouswombat · 15 May 2010 · Chapter 5: V. Small Victories (Éowyn)
What a lovely insight into Éowyn; and a lovely moment captured in your words, if not hers!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the piece, Wombat; I did enjoy exploring Eowyn's softer side. Thanks for the review!
shirebound · 15 May 2010 · Chapter 6: VI. Pilgrimage (Faramir)
He flies upon wings of silver fire, fire that blazes but does not burn. He rises, seeking the star of the king! So inspiring! :)
Author's reply
I'm glad you found it so; I did want to write some oomphy metaphors. Thanks for reviewing!
shirebound · 15 May 2010 · Chapter 5: V. Small Victories (Éowyn)
you are each a victory as great as any feat of arms. That's so true. A world in which children can grow up loved and safe... what better victory?
Author's reply
Although I don't think Eowyn realized it at the time, that is what she and all the others fought for in the Ring War. And now she gets to cherish the victory! Thanx for reading and reviewing, Shirebound.
Linda Hoyland · 15 May 2010 · Chapter 6: VI. Pilgrimage (Faramir)
This is just lovely, very poetic and powerful. A unique look at my favourite passage from the book!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked the piece, Linda; especially since I was aiming for quasi-poetic language and a certain narrative "power". Thanks for reviewing!
Linda Hoyland · 15 May 2010 · Chapter 5: V. Small Victories (Éowyn)
What a delightful glimpse of Eowyn and her chilren.A lovely glimpse of Eowyn as a mother.
Author's reply
Thanx, Linda; it was indeed meant to be both a verbal snapshot and an exploration of Eowyn's maternal emotions...
Antane · 4 April 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
One of the reasons Faramir is so admirable is his hope. I love him for it. He is akin to Sam in that respect and Aragorn. Thanks for giving another glimpse of that. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
I'm not sure that Faramir is as hopeful as Sam, but he does seem to understand that the hobbits present a possibility of hope for both Gondor and the rest of the West. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Antane!
Larner · 3 April 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
At least Boromir will come to know and honor Thorongil himself one day, even if he never knows this individual was never so known to his grandfather. Lovely, and so well characterized!
Author's reply
The family dynamics of the House of the Steward are fascinating, to say the least, especially considering Aragorn's relationship with three of its generations. Thanks for reading and reviewing1
Larner · 3 April 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
I love the realization of how dangerous despair can be. Yes--this is our wise Faramir!
Author's reply
Faramir seems a fairly self-aware fellow as well as someone who is acutely aware of other people's thoughts and feelings. As a leader of men, he has to set the example for his Rangers and the people of Gondor; so he'd have additional motive to resist the temptation to yield to despair. I definitely agree that Faramir is wise! Thanx for reading and reviewing, Larner!
Larner · 3 April 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
A worthy sequel to the downfall of Sauron. Love this look at Imrahil's nature! Well done, Raksha!
Author's reply
I had fun writing Imrahil; he's quite an interesting fellow; both a fierce warrior and the best-dressed of Gondor's defenders. Thanx for the review; I'm pleased that you enjoyed the ficlet.
Larner · 3 April 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
How perfect--that Sauron needed to lose himself in order to find himself in the end. And am so glad for you and Nath for letting me know Sauron's original name! Thank you!
Author's reply
I did intend for the story to focus on Sauron's losses - power, corporeal form, his very self, to be eligible for remaking. Even supernatural power isn't everything, is it... Thanx for reading and commenting, Larner!
pandemonium_213 · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
A shrewd, logical Ecthelion and an enigmatic Mithrandir! Splendid! You've nailed down both characters quite nicely here, or at least the way I see them. A nice character study in a short piece. I loved the comparison of Denethor and Thorongil and those "hawkish" noble features.
Author's reply
I don't think Ecthelion shared the Numenorean mind-reading/extra perception that Denethor and Faramir had, but I believe Ecthelion was definitely a shrewd ruler with a good knowledge of human nature and an ability to occasionally think-outside-the-box. My own interpretation of his relationship with Denethor is that while he loved his son, Ecthelion didn't really understand him too well; and may have found Thorongil easier to get along with... Thanx much for the review, Pande!
pandemonium_213 · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
This... "So he hoards scraps of beauty and light in his heart" ...resonates with me in a big way. How many times have I done the same in times of sorrow and stress? It's no secret that I love your rendition of Faramir, but with that quoted bit of poetry, I can now empathize with him.
Author's reply
I'm delighted that you enjoy my interpretation of Faramir; since I try hard to bring him to life as I see the character created by Tolkien. We know that Faramir appreciates beauty, even during moments of tension; such as his pointing out the sight of the moon shining over Henneth-Annun to Frodo. I think Faramir used his imagination very effectively, both as a strategist and as a man facing eventual doom. Thanx for the review, Pande!
pandemonium_213 · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
The physicality and emotion in this ficlet are immensely appealing: "Perhaps it was weariness that brought sudden tears to Imrahil’s eyes" and then the Prince of Dol Amroth's stomach growls. Excellent! And this amidst the reflections of loss and what might have beens. A nice vignette from (IMO) an intriguing character from the legendarium.
Author's reply
The Ring War cost Imrahil the lives of his nephew and brother-in-law; he wouldn't be human if he didn't wish that it could have happened earlier/differently. I think different people react differently to stress/adrenalin surge and the end of that stress; and I enjoyed exploring Imrahil's reaction to Sauron's defeat... Thanx for the review!
pandemonium_213 · 28 March 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
Dark Muse Approved™. Need I say more?
Author's reply
Well that makes me feel good, especially coming from such an outstanding interpreter of Sauron's life and times and the Dark Muse himself. Thanx again for your encouragement and assistance, Pande!
Linda Hoyland · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
I loved this piece as I feel Ecthelion must have guessed Aragorn's secret.It must have hurt him deeply when Aragorn left and you convey his feelings brilliantly here.I al;so feel that Aragorn feared to come between father and son and maybe cause a civil war or some similiar catastrophe.
Author's reply
I'm not sure that Denethor would have opted for military defiance, had his father championed Aragorn's claim to the throne; but others might have; and Ecthelion's support of Aragorn might have totally destroyed the Steward's relationship with his own son; and Aragorn would have been reluctant to do that, particularly since I think he and Gandalf believed the time was not yet right. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Linda!
Linda Hoyland · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
This is what I like about Faramir, he keeps on trying and hoping despite all the odds against hope prevailing.I especially liked the glimpse of the star.
Author's reply
Thanx, Linda; I think different people cope with the horror of fatal odds in different ways; and Faramir would fight to retain his essential self for as long as possible rather than yielding to bitterness or despair.
Linda Hoyland · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
Another unique viewpoint. I loved the mixture of the heroic with the mundane.Wonderful to think that such as imrahil will be able to focuss on simple pleasures from now on,
Author's reply
I definitely enjoyed writing this story. I see Imrahil as a combination of deadly warrior and detail-minded perfectionist; but he'd be as susceptible to hunger as many others; particularly because I could see him going without so his horse could have all the hay and apples it needed throughout their very fast-paced journey to the Black Gate. I'm glad you liked the piece.
Linda Hoyland · 27 March 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
This is quite unique, something I'd never thought about,yet reading it made me wonder why I hadn't. A fascinating look at Sauron's downfall from his point of view.
Author's reply
Thanx for reviewing, Linda - I never had the urge to write Sauron seriously before I thought of this piece. I just didn't think that Sauron would just evaporate completely from all planes of existence. And it was interesting progression to write. I'm glad you found it interesting.
Estelcontar · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
What a wonderful vignette! You've given us a most sensitive portrayal of how Ecthelion must have felt about Aragorn, and about his departure from. You were so successful in doing so that you've made me for the first time really regret Ecthelion wasn't there to witness Aragorn's return.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you liked the story; Ecthelion is a neat character to write. I think he did miss Thorongil; and I think Thorongil missed him too. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Estelcontar!
Virtuella · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
Oh, how sad, that very last sentence!
Author's reply
I think Ecthelion loved his son and grandson, and thought that living under Thorongil's rule would benefit them, as well as the rest of Gondor. And it is sad that Boromir didn't survive to see Sauron defeated (much less survive at all); though I truly believe that Faramir would be a better Steward than Boromir... Thanx for the review!
Virtuella · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
"So he hoards scraps of beauty and light in his heart" Lovely!
Author's reply
Thanx, Virtuella - I enjoyed writing this double-drabble; and I'm glad that you liked it.
Virtuella · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 2: II. After The Hour of Doom (Imrahil)
That's a very original take on the immediate aftermath. Imrahil's POV yields valuable insights. Indeed, the triumph came too late for so many. As for the rest, it is true: One needs a hanky! One needs lunch!
Author's reply
From what we see of Imrahil in ROTK, there's an impression of courage, attention to detail and keen powers of observation even after long battle, and of course great skill as a commander. Not to mention the desire to make a grand entrance with Swan Knights a-singing and to keep his armor burnished. I thought that Imrahil would want to wipe his sweaty brow before addressing and caring for his troops, much less reporting to his King and Gandalf and Eomer...After that, I think Imrahil will attend to his horse's appetite before he gets his own lunch. Hey, I'd want the hanky first and then a nice cold soda after a victorious battle in which I'd expected to die! Thanx for the review, Virtuella!
Virtuella · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 1: I. The Tower (Sauron)
Impressive. The structure with all those "His..." sentences worked out well. As for the question at the end, yes, it was good to leave that open.
Author's reply
I'm glad you thought that particular structure worked out well; it just flowed out of me as I started to write; sort of a reflection of Sauron's very powerful sense of self as it is broken down. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Virtuella!
Dreamflower · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 4: IV. In the King's Shadow (Ecthelion)
It's a shame that Ecthelion did not see at least a part of Thorongil's reason in his own ponderings: I would have given you my allegiance, son of my heart; he thought, the admission both lighting and searing his soul. I would have set you above all, even the son of my blood. The time was not yet right. And if he'd remained, he'd only have come between the father and son. *sigh*
Author's reply
I think Thorongil already had come between father and son, and knew he should leave before more damage was done. And, with the destruction of the Corsair ships, it was the best time to go. Thanx for reviewing, Dreamflower!
Dreamflower · 25 March 2010 · Chapter 3: III. Ranger's Dawn (Faramir)
And yet, and yet…One cannot live out every day in dread. Despair is as vicious a foe as any Orc. Faramir knows he may one day die beneath an onslaught of foes too great to repel or outwit. But he will not yield to despair. So he hoards scraps of beauty and light in his heart, savoring their memory, delighting in new appearances. How very like Faramir, to hoard beauty and hope as a weapon against despair!
Author's reply
Thanks for reviewing, Dreamflower! I do think that Faramir is a man of great internal resources; and, while not superstitious, treasures such moments of joy when and where he can find them; especially since he knows the weight of the odds against him and his people...