PSW
· 20 November 2016
· Chapter 15: Invitation to Comfort
Very interesting! Not a conversation I'd ever thought of before -- so many were affected by all that happened...
I love your description of Olorin as being more solid, somehow. I'm sure being forced to live in a body for so long rather than just being able to flit in and out of one at will would definitely have an effect...
Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
The Master indicated that keeping to one form could lead to the Maia losing much of his or her nature, ending with it taking on the nature of the form instead, and I would think this especially true of Gandalf after his long sojourn as an elderly Man. And in trying to keep these challenges to Gandalf's POV, I had to think how Nerdanel would interact with a newly returned Olorin and this is what came of it.
Thank you so!
Andrea
· 20 November 2016
· Chapter 21: Dreams of Conquest
It is horrible to see how Saruman is more and more misled!
He is so full of himself that he doesn't realize that he becomes a supporter of the Enemy. But in the end he is not the leader he intended to be, but merely a slave.
The woman with the greatest compassion looked most orc-like? That is as if nature itself started to rebel against these horrible experiments.
Author's reply
I've been giving thought to what led to his final corruption, and this seemed a likely step in the wrong direction for him.
I'd not thought of the orcish woman's plight like that, but I like your perspective! Thank you so!
PSW
· 19 November 2016
· Chapter 13: Yuletide Cheer
Come on, Boromir, get with the program! Play along, at least -- it's going to be a long journey if not... :-P
Very nice, I had never really thought of them as being put and about during a holiday, but it only makes sense.
Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Thanks. This was done in answer to a B2MEM challenge, but I found it fun to write this in anticipation for when I reached that far in "In Empty Lands." Aragorn learned the dangers of interfering with Frodo's mushrooms in a story I wrote some years ago, so it was fun to think how Boromir might fare with a similar situation. Heh! Thanks!
Freyalyn
· 19 November 2016
· Chapter 21: Dreams of Conquest
Oh dear, that's a rather horrible thing to write about as well as you always write.
Poor women.
I feel rather ill reading it, which of course I should do.
Author's reply
It was a dreadful thing even to contemplate, yet Saruman must have dedicated quite some time to this project once he entered Orthanc in order to have his army up to ten thousand in number to send against Rohan.
Thank you so for the compliments! But I agree, it was a horrible course Saruman set for himself.
PSW
· 17 November 2016
· Chapter 12: Murmurs of Encouragement
This was just lovely! :-) Pippin bringing the flowers for Sam was so sweet...just what a gardener would love. And the cameo by Rosie at the end... yep, loved this chapter!
Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
And I loved writing it! Thank you so much!
PSW
· 17 November 2016
· Chapter 10: A Wordless Encounter
Nice! :-)
Author's reply
As I reread the description of Gandalf and Treebeard seeing one another and saying no word to one another, this is what suggested itself to my mind in answer to the challenge. Dreamflower introduced me to the form of the dribble, and I've played with it more than once, adding as well as subtracting words in subsequent lines. I thought it served as the right vehicle to carry the mood I sought to convey.
PSW
· 17 November 2016
· Chapter 9: White Ladies
Interesting! Yes, the whole Aradhel has always been .. odd. Troubling. It was very interesting to hear the thoughts of a Maia about the whole situation...
Author's reply
It was a challenge to find a means of tying the two White Ladies together in such a manner, but I think the whole turned out well.
Aredhel deserved far better than she got, I always felt. It was interesting to think on her life as if through Olorin's memories of her.
PSW
· 17 November 2016
· Chapter 8: Realizations of Vision
Everyone falls in love w Arwen, hmm? Well, that wouldn't really surprise me... :-P
I really enjoy these stories about Gandalf -- I'm so fascinated by his character... Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Oh, I do suspect that Arwen had a plethora of admirers amongst Isildur's heirs. But would not Frodo also, with the nobility of his character, also be drawn to her?
And I enjoy writing Gandalf's POV. Thank you for your comments!
6336
· 16 November 2016
· Chapter 21: Dreams of Conquest
Some times too much knowledge is not a good thing to have. Seems to me Saruman spent too much time reading and not enough doing but then he was Saruman the White, mustn't get his hands dirty, that would never do.
Pity Gandalf did not look a little closer at the books in the study, it might have given him an idea as to what Saruman had or was about to get up to. I take it this was before he discovered the Orthanc Stone and thought to control Sauron?
Ignoring Radagast was something he should not have done, he was canny in his own way.
Lynda
Author's reply
Thanks so, Lynda. Saruman appears to have become convinced at about the time he entered Orthanc that he ought to be able to conquer Sauron using Sauron's own techniques, something that seldom if ever works. And you are so right that Saruman did poorly to denigrate and ignore Radagast.
It appears that during the years Saruman spent in an aged Man's body within Middle Earth he progressively lost track of his mission within Middle Earth, coming to think so highly of his own cleverness and genius that he could no longer appreciate what others did.
But for Gandalf to appreciate that his chieftain had truly lost so much of himself already was not an easily made conclusion for the good-hearted Grey Wizard, I suspect.
I'm not certain when Saruman found and began using the Orthanc Stone, but I suspect that if he had done so at this time he either hadn't begun using it yet or that he'd convinced himself that he could use it with impugnity to spy upon Sauron's actions. Who knows how many lies and how much misinformation Sauron was already feeding the self-important Wizard before the Enemy finally confronted this voyeur?
PSW
· 14 October 2016
· Chapter 6: The Unlikely Shiriff
Shire, not Shore... :-P
PSW
· 14 October 2016
· Chapter 6: The Unlikely Shiriff
I like the idea of Gandalf just sitting around and visiting, discussing Shore happenings, no matter what the topic. As for Lotho...I'm sure he does feel like it would give him a sense of power over others. Those are definitely the ones to watch for...
Author's reply
Oh, don't we know it! Those who think that a particular position will make them somehow omnipotent scare me, you know.
Thanks so! (And considering some of my typos, I can't fault yours! Peek and peak are two of my worst bugaboos.)
PSW
· 13 October 2016
· Chapter 2: Cursing--and Blessing--the Stubbornness of Young Tooks
Peregrin Took, wandering the wilds of Middle Earth... :-P
Gandalf fascinates me -- so multilayered. I have always wanted to write more about him, but I find that I can't really get inside his head very easily, and so I have always written him from someone else's POV. I have enjoyed these two chapters, and am anxious to see where the next go.
Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Oh, yes, wandering without a minder at that point in Pippin's development does make one gulp, doesn't it? Heh!
I have always loved Aragorn, Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf about equally, and love peeking inside the Wizard's curious brain from time to time. Thank you so for the comments!
Tari
· 31 March 2014
· Chapter 20: Spring Returned
Beautiful and touching. A true tribute to Frodo.
Author's reply
Thank you so, Tari. I hope that it is a tribute to Frodo, Sam, and, in his way, Smeagol as well.
Andrea
· 30 March 2014
· Chapter 20: Spring Returned
Hope Unquenchable, and Endurance beyond Hope. Two great blooms from a small land. But they were enough, along with that other one, the one who was born this side of the Misty Mountains. They were enough, enough to usher in a spring many had feared would never come.
Beautifully said!
I agree that without Gollum the Ring could never have been destroyed. He was a victim of the Ring. And that could have happened to Frodo as well at the Fires of Mount Doom if Gollum had not been there!
Author's reply
The Ring would have taken everything, had It had Its way! Thank you so, Andrea.
Lindelea
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 20: Spring Returned
Beautifully woven! I am on my phone or I would delight in quoting bits and responding to them.
Author's reply
I am so glad that you like it, Lindelea. I hope to come down perhaps the weekend after Easter. Hope to see you then.
UTfrog
· 28 March 2014
· Chapter 20: Spring Returned
Very nice. I love that Smeagel was included too.
Author's reply
As Frodo forgave Smeagol, considering that the quest could not have been completed without what he'd done, I suspect that at least Aragorn and Gandalf would do so as well. Thank you so!
Antane
· 27 December 2013
· Chapter 19: Reasons for Thanksgiving
I've gotten terribly busy so must apologize for the lateness of this review. Certainly wonderful for anything that would ease Frodo's 'unreasoning self-reproach' as the Professor called it.
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Yes indeed, Gandalf and Aragorn both must have felt relieved to see Frodo let go of his self-reproach at least for the moment. Thank you so, Antane!
Teresa
· 7 December 2013
· Chapter 19: Reasons for Thanksgiving
Another excellent gem! This too lightened a difficult time for me, and gave me much pleasure as I read it! Seeing the group like that, relaxed and happy was so satisfying! And it adds just another piece to my mosaic on Middle Earth..... one that will never be finished for I hope to always find more stories to add to the originals! Many thanks for posting this! :)
Author's reply
The last few weeks have been difficult for me as well, Teresa, and my Christmas was anything but joyous, I fear. It lightens my heart to know that my writing has managed to help others as I myself have needed help. And it is you I thank for your wonderful comments.
shirebound
· 3 December 2013
· Chapter 19: Reasons for Thanksgiving
It's so sweet to hear one of Elrond's sons refer to "dear Bilbo".
This is a gentle interlude, and I enjoyed it very much.
Author's reply
I strongly suspect that all within Elrond's house had come to appreciate the special qualities of Burglar Baggins, and was not particularly surprised when that line wrote itself. (Yes, many of these still write themselves, just as the Master indicated happened with him!) Am so glad it pleases!
UTfrog
· 3 December 2013
· Chapter 19: Reasons for Thanksgiving
Lovely tale of thanksgiving. The interaction between Legolas and Gimli was sweet. Gandalf's trick with the fire was cute.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad you liked how Legolas and Gimli acted toward one another. As one who was associated with Fire and who'd finally got the fire on Caradhras going, I'd think that Aragorn and others would at times importune him to spare them the need to pull our their flint and steels! Thanks so, UTfrog!
Dreamflower
· 3 December 2013
· Chapter 19: Reasons for Thanksgiving
So very many things, both great and small, to be thankful for right then! Lovely!
Author's reply
I'm so glad that you agree, Dreamflower! Thank you so!
Fiondil
· 3 April 2013
· Chapter 18: Finding Warmth
A very nice gap filler, Larner. I liked how Gandalf didn't just jump up at once but had to re-remember how a body moved. Very realistic to what it must have been like for him. And having Narya reassure him was a nice touch.
Author's reply
I would think he must have felt more than a bit disoriented to have traveled as he did in those moments after his body died and then he was granted a new one. And wouldn't his Ring have wished to reassure him and reclaim him as its bearer, don't you think? Thanks so very much!
Tari
· 3 April 2013
· Chapter 18: Finding Warmth
Thank you for the wonderful Easter gift. It is indeed a form of resurrection.
I shall have to remember to contract you before my birthday in July. I would love to have you write something for me.
Author's reply
You are very welcome. Just give me an idea as to what kind of story you'd like and I'll be glad to work on it!
Linda Hoyland
· 2 April 2013
· Chapter 18: Finding Warmth
This was fascinating and a great use of the prompt.I'd not of what it must have been like for Gandalf to be sent back.
Author's reply
It must have been a bit of a shock, first to lose his assumed body and then to find it replaced again in this manner. So glad you appreciate it, my friend. And a joyful Easter season to you!
shirebound
· 1 April 2013
· Chapter 14: Toasts
Dear Gandalf. He's so affectionate and gentle with 'his hobbits'.
Author's reply
Isn't he, though? How much he must have come to love Bilbo, knowing he was the grandson of his old friend Gerontius.