Celeritas' Birthday Bash 2010 by Celeritas
Dreamflower · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 7: Siege - for Armariel
Oooh! Oh yes, a very apt warning, one that would definitely make Wormtongue nervous-- but also that much more determined to get rid of Eomer one way or another... Love the wording of his threat. *Very* appropriate for Rohan!
Author's reply
Yes--whatever action Eomer takes, it's going to make things more dangerous for him, but then again this is his sister we're talking about. And thanks, I had fun coming up with the threat as well...
Dreamflower · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 6: Roadside Entertainment - for nautika
*grin* This is adorable. I just love the cousinly banter (especially Frodo and Merry ganging up on Pippin) and Frodo describing the encounter of Finrod and the Enemy as a "sing-off"! I also love Boromir's thoughts. Actually, he probably doesn't sing that badly, if he only knows how he sounds when he's under the influence, LOL! And Pippin to the rescue at the end!
Author's reply
Well, when you think about it, "I'm going to defeat you with the power of SONG!" sounds just a little silly to the mundane ear. I'm not sure whether Boromir's reluctance to sing is because he's only sung in an *ahem* influenced society, or if he only sings in an influenced society because he actually can't sing. I've been teasing around the idea of "Pippin can't sing" for a while as well, and while there's no evidence for it in canon, I like the idea of Frodo and Merry insisting that it's the case just to take him down a few notches (I think I covered this in "To Absent Friends" as well). But after that kind of treatment I think Pippin would be more than willing to come to Boromir's rescue!
Dreamflower · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 5: Temper-ment - for Linaewen
Oh, yes, definitely this looks like the shape of Boromir's test. I love the implication at the end though, that this could lead to a Boromir-lives AU.. But I also like that you are ambiguous with it. Very nicely done!
Author's reply
Maybe... or maybe it's just him speaking out of bravado, or maybe his passing the test means that, when he does fall, he's able to pull himself out of it in time to do some good... who knows?
shirebound · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 16: Reconciliation - for all
Beautiful. You chose such a lovely story to end these gift-fics. :)
Author's reply
Thank you!
shirebound · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 6: Roadside Entertainment - for nautika
he broke out into one of the merry little airs of his people. Awwww. I love it when Boromir is interacting with the 'little ones'.
Author's reply
This is my first attempt at the genre, so thanks!
shirebound · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 4: The Retinue of Sir Peregrin - for Cathleen
Oh, this is a lovely lovely piece. I'll get to the others as I have time. Happy Birthday, and thank you for all the gifts. :)
Author's reply
Thank you for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoy these little gifts!
Dreamflower · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 4: The Retinue of Sir Peregrin - for Cathleen
Ooh! Beregond! What a perfect POV for this one! And I love his response and that of the other members of the Company! Yes, they'd guard one of their own, most especially *that* one! Beautiful!
Author's reply
I haven't seen too many troll injury fics that involved Beregond, so I thought it'd be fun to make him the PoV character. The guard just kind of fell into place after that, without my asking for it!
Dreamflower · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 2: Jerusalem, Jerusalem - for Kaylee Arafinwiel
*nods* Yes, rejection-- not by the One who waits, but by the one who will not accept. Sad, but true.
Author's reply
I have a feeling that's how most failed repentances work.
Dreamflower · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 1: Historiography, Part One - for Marta
(That's weird. SoA booted me out when I started to review, and then I had to log in again.) Oh well! It's doing fine now! OK, I have to say, the notion of two elderly hobbits and an elderly Steward sitting around having this discussion is utterly charming and perfectly in character. I love Pippin's testiness here, and his insistence on the "is" for Frodo, as well as Faramir's understanding of what Merry actually meant, and Merry's willingness not to push the issue. Lovely discussion between the three. I think it very likely that in spite of what passed between them at the end, Frodo still would have thought of Boromir as a friend, and attached most of the blame to the Ring (after all, who'd know better what that thing was like?) And I loved Pippin's description of the "loremongerers" the ones who in their rush to uncover the ‘truth’ lay waste to a thing of utter beauty. So very true!
Author's reply
SoA booted me out three times during the upload, so maybe it's still being tetchy after its previous drama. You're probably right about Frodo, and I think that part of why he spoke with Faramir about his brother was precisely so that it would be even easier to think of Boromir as a friend. Pippin's description was inspired, in part, by the tower analogy that Tolkien came up with when he defended Beowulf as a work of literature. Very glad you enjoyed this--I do like to think of the characters, when old, discussing matters like this. Thanks!
Dreamflower · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 3: Keeping up with the Brandybucks - for Dreamflower
*grin* I love it! A wonderful job, with lots of hints. (NOW I'm all curious as to just what Gorhendad did that was so scandalous? Did he put the dessert before main course with some lass? Was she a Took? Did he get involved in a brawl? With a Took? Did he have an ADVENTURE?) And the ballroom does tickle me to pieces! Thank you! *grins some more*
Author's reply
I'm still wondering what exactly it was that Gorhendad did as well... though if he's being kicked out of the Shire for adventure, the Tooks are certainly ones to talk! *cough* Thought you'd like the ballroom. ~Celeritas
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 10: His Century - for Rosie
I knew this had to be an AU, and it reminded me of Eucatastrophe, so I'm glad to find it was. How kind of Dreamflower to let you play in her Shire! It's a wonderful tale. I hope Rosie will like it! And a good morning to you, as it's now 12 AM! :) Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
I've borrowed the Eucatastrophe!verse before, to explore how an AU situation among my Fourth Age hobbit OCs might have come about. I was really happy to be able to play in it again. Thanks! (And sorry for the delay in replying!)
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 9: A Midyear's Day Feast - for Pearl Took
I recognized Handy right away! (Not to mention McDonald's. *grin*) What an interesting story! I'm sure Pearl will love it. I'm obsessing over all these ficlets. Yay for your muse! Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
Thanks! I had a lot of fun getting to play with Handy again. As for my muse... well, she's still demanding footrubs and chocolate, but as soon as I'm done assuaging her temper at being made to work so hard, I'll pass the compliment onto her.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 8: Minding Other Folk's Business - for Larner
I didn't look to see who this was for before I clicked the 'review' button, but it's definitely something characteristic of Larner to ask for, if she hadn't written it herself! I am sure she'll enjoy it very much, definitely as much as I did if not more. I don't see much written about Lobelia, especially at this time in her life, and even more so when it's someone else describing or speaking to her rather than her being the POV character. (Sorry for the run on sentences!) I enjoyed this very much...it's one of the few times in her life I feel sorry for Lobelia Sackville-Baggins! Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
I always find it amusing when a prompt turns out fulfilling the requester's interest even more than the prompt suggested it would (Larner only wanted two people who usually hate each other having to cooperate). All the legal stuff just kind of slipped in afterwards. So yes, I hope she does enjoy it! I also have a tough time drumming up sympathy for Lobelia, but her end makes her entire character worth it, in my mind.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 7: Siege - for Armariel
OK, Celeritas, I am up at ten to midnight still reading birthday mathoms, and it's all your fault! (lol!) In fact I barely managed to control my impulses here, I *wanted* to fall onto the floor laughing, but I *managed* to stay quiet (Mom is asleep like a *normal* person :p) and stay upright. Barely. GO EOMER! Especially that last line! *dies again* Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
Given how much of a sleazeball Wormtongue is, I think that last line is only too fitting. Pleased to have provided such entertainment (and possibly sleep deprival?), Celeritas
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 6: Roadside Entertainment - for nautika
LOL! I love Pippin singing-fics! And I think Boromir's thoughts are wonderful here. I hope nautika likes it! I certainly did. Well done! Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
Pippin did sing quite a bit in canon, but I don't like the idea of expanding that into making him a musician--it's been too done before! So I thought it'd be fun to have him "rescue" Boromir from a situation of teasing similar to what he's had to put up with for quite a while, while irritating his cousins in the process.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 5: Temper-ment - for Linaewen
Ah, and so Boromir, too, is tested, and passes the test...for now. But I think, in the end, though he failed he passed as well. As Fiondil, my atar indonyo, says in "Drawing Straight with Crooked Lines" (through Lord Namo), Boromir had to do as he did, and no other could have done it. He saved Frodo, and therefore saved Merry and Pippin, too. If Boromir hadn't died there, then the others might have in his place. I don't think I know Linaewen, but I hope Linaewen enjoys this as much as I did. Be at peace, son of Gondor... Kaylee Arafinwiel (who loves Boromir)
Author's reply
Well, from the descriptions afterwards, it looks as if everyone was tested. If Boromir had not done as he did--who knows? It was certainly the catalyst for a number of events that had, ultimately, a good ending. One of my favorite AUs of all time (it's up for the MEFAs this year) does a slow reveal of Boromir being the one to meet Frodo and Sam in Ithilien. It implies that everyone else (Faramir included) is still all right, but you get this really chilling feeling for what's going to happen next.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 4: The Retinue of Sir Peregrin - for Cathleen
Wonderful! I'm sure Cathleen will enjoy as much as I did! I especially loved Beregond's concern for Pippin, it really shone through in everything! Yay, Beregond, and oh, I am SO glad Pip made it, too! Of course, he had to. Slight possible quibble at the end, though..."the only tent less looked after was the King's." Didn't you mean "the only tent *more* looked after"? As in, the only tent that was guarded more? Or did I misconstrue your meaning? Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
Thanks for catching that! I've fixed it. I've seen a lot of troll injury fics before, but none that involved Beregond. I thought it'd be interesting to do things from his perspective. Thanks for taking the time to read and review!
6336 · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 7: Siege - for Armariel
Ooo! Nice one Eomer! Lynda
Author's reply
Definitely a man I would not want to cross when he's angry! Thanks!
6336 · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 6: Roadside Entertainment - for nautika
Some how Finrod and Sauron exchanging Songs of Power is not my idea of a Sing-Off! Lynda
Author's reply
I believe this is a prime example of reducto ad absurdum.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 3: Keeping up with the Brandybucks - for Dreamflower
Entirely plausible! I hope Dreamflower enjoys this as much as I did! :) I love it when discrepancies in the timelines are explained! Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
Thank you! In this case, the discrepancy was explained right in Tolkien.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 1: Historiography, Part One - for Marta
“Do you mind if I look at the book now?” said Faramir. “Not at all,” said Pippin. “Yes,” added Merry, “and you must forgive us for being so old and crotchety. We’re much too used to being in stories, and not out of them.” “Indeed,” said Faramir, and he picked up the volume. “Listen, when we finally deposit this at the Archives, you may be interested in meeting my grandson…” Just...that. I loved the whole thing, but most especially that. Oh, I wonder...do you think Barahir was the son of Faramir's son Elboron, or of another of Faramir's children? (And is Elboron canon or not? *ponders*) Kaylee Arafinwiel
Author's reply
Elboron, I believe, comes from Peoples of Middle-earth, so if you consider information in there canon, Elboron would be canon. I'm not sure about Barahir, and I'm not yet in a position where I have to make a decision. I think I've tended to assume he was a younger son of Elboron, but it would also be very interesting to make him a daughter's son... *ponders* Anyway, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the fic, and especially Merry and Pippin. I think, particularly at this point in their life, they'd be good at self-assessment, especially of their place in history.
Kaylee Arafinwiel · 30 July 2010 · Chapter 2: Jerusalem, Jerusalem - for Kaylee Arafinwiel
Celeritas! Thank you so much for this mathom. Oh, how my heart ached, especially as I could feel Eru trying to reach out to His wayward sons, those two slowly driven mad by this emptiness, this separation, yet this feeling of something just *there*, just out of reach because they can't remember how to reach it...*shudder* Well done! Thank you so much, and again, happy birthday! Kaylee
Author's reply
Thanks! There is, of course, all of eternity, or at least till the Second Music, for them to come 'round, but... The Bible describes hell as weeping and gnashing of teeth. I've always thought that the gnashing meant anger, directed at God because they just can't realize how to repent... I don't think Sauron would want to be found for a good many millennia.