Lindelea
· 23 May 2016
· Chapter 17: The Botanical Gardens
Oh, my, what a cliffhanger!
(I was going to ask earlier in the chapter if this incident was in one of the earlier posted stories, but it appears that it is being told out here, even in brief. Yikes.)
I love Japanese gardens -- so serene. And even with the short growing season in Wiseman, there are things that can be done with sand, and stones, and water features.
I remember one place in the local public Japanese garden, where there was a patch of sand, and a small rake, and a bench, and visitors were encouraged to rake different patterns into the sand and then sit and contemplate the lines. And another place where a trickle of water slowly filled a bamboo tube -- when it got full, it would fall over onto a rock, with a musical boom, letting the water flow into a basin below, and then empty, would tip back upright to catch the falling water. And the little waterfall... there were many places suited to quiet meditation, and the garden was as beautiful in the snow as it was in any other season.
Soledad
· 23 May 2016
· Chapter 17: The Botanical Gardens
Oh, Jesus, he got stung! I fear to imagine what spider venom could have done to him - although, of course, cruel creature as I am I had Thranduil lose his late-born daughter to a spider bite, so I don't have the right to complain, do I?
I love it how Legolas mirrors his father's mannerisms sometimes. *g*
Aranadhel
· 23 May 2016
· Chapter 17: The Botanical Gardens
Thank you for the update.
Author's reply
That's no problem Aranadhel, but honestly, please, don't tahnk us all of the time. We'd be happy if you just read the chapter, enjoy and them comment. Believe me, we take as much joy out of the reviews as Arthur did!
Regards
Shen xxx
harrowcat
· 23 May 2016
· Chapter 17: The Botanical Gardens
And now we've got to wait for a whole week!!!!! Help :(
obsidianj
· 21 May 2016
· Chapter 16: Fairbanks
It is a bit odd that Legolas and the youngsters want to go traipsing through the city in the middle of the night. But Glorfindel is overreacting. The youngsters are not really that young and Legolas definitely has met his share of people that wanted him killed. I think they can take care of themselves. As long as no one runs around shooting everything in sight...
Glorfindel needs to figure out his dreams. I don't think he has a chance to heal until he admits that he needs help. But he is a stubborn elf!
Larner
· 17 May 2016
· Chapter 16: Fairbanks
Apparently Glorfindel needs the harp playing to help keep himself grounded, to keep from being overwhelmed by the urgency of the dream. I do wonder what the talisman is that they took from the Templars, of course. Heh!
Author's reply
Thank you so much for the review. I think that the harp is a mood calmer, a sort of Elven relaxant! Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast and all that! Music was such an intrinsic part of Elven culture I guess it's not so surprising. The talisman is a mystery but obviously of great importance.
Soledad
· 16 May 2016
· Chapter 16: Fairbanks
Erestor, the grouch! Now, this is not something you see every day. *g*
Author's reply
It's odd, but I honestly don't know where this Erester is a grouch comes from, especially since Tolkien doesn't really flesh the character out; fanfiction fanon I suppose. It's a constant source of fascination to me how the fanfiction writers have developed all of these apparently minor characters into a full bodied person. It's amazing and wonderful!
Thank you for reviewing!
Shemyaza xxx
Aranadhel
· 16 May 2016
· Chapter 16: Fairbanks
Thank you for putting it up on schedule.
Author's reply
You are very welcome, but honestly you don't need to say this every time :) I know Arthur would have appreciated hearing your comments on the chapter itself and the other two ladies and I also appreciate and read every comment, even though we may not be in a position to give a full answer every time!
Enjoy the chapters, Arthur would have wanted that.
Shemyaza xxxx
Dreamflower
· 14 May 2016
· Chapter 15: Glorfindel and Elrond
I am really looking forward to Elrond's reactions to what he learns of modern psychology!
Dreamflower
· 14 May 2016
· Chapter 14: The Picnic
First of all, really cool that Fiondil chose the name Kelly for Celebrian! It's the perfect one to use for a "modern day Elves" story! (I used it in a drabble for B2MEM once.)
I love the idea of Ron becoming a psychologist. That would be the perfect role for him, and give him a very needed specialty.
So, Glorfindel's story about the twins was a tall tale, huh? It was fun anyway!
obsidianj
· 14 May 2016
· Chapter 15: Glorfindel and Elrond
At least I'm not the only one finding Glorfindel fabricating stories disturbing. I loved how Vorondur handled first Glorfindel and then Elrond. I especially like the files of Vorondur. His character descriptions are very funny.
Larner
· 9 May 2016
· Chapter 15: Glorfindel and Elrond
As Glorfindel said, the story was more impressive when he indicated he'd sold the Twins as slaves, but it WAS unnecessary, of course. And I agree it's interesting how the twins and their father all complement one another.
Sunny
· 9 May 2016
· Chapter 15: Glorfindel and Elrond
It looks like both Elrond and Celebrían are going to have new careers! I'm certain Elrond will do well as a psycholgist.
Hehehe, love those notes of Ron's! Amusing (as always!)
So Mensa needs to invent a new category just for Elrond? And classifying him as a Wiard is actually ... not inappropriate, once you get to thinking about it. He is actually a relative of the Istari, though just how Maiar (and Valar) see kinships between themselves is probably rather mysterious, as they do not, as a rule, produce offspring (Melian being the only one to have done so.) Wouldn't surprise me if Elrond has some wizarding talents come down to him from his illustrious ancestress.
Lindelea
· 9 May 2016
· Chapter 14: The Picnic
On the topic of the choice of "Kelly"...
I was speculating that she might have turned out to be Bree or Bri, simply because I know a couple of them IRL. (One is "Sabrina" and the other is "Brianna".)
Kelly does make a certain sense, when I think about it.
Lindelea
· 9 May 2016
· Chapter 15: Glorfindel and Elrond
Oh, how I love Ron's summaries! (And he got "kind as summer" in. Lovely.)
It's fascinating to see a little of how Fiondil's mind worked. It appears he was a keen observer of human nature.
I am so enjoying these chapters. Thank you for your faithfulness in posting them.
Soledad
· 9 May 2016
· Chapter 15: Glorfindel and Elrond
Oh, Elrond! He was my first love, ever since I read "The Hobbit" for the first time, back in the Stone Age! I very much agree with Vorondur concerning him. It was nice to see the description "as kind as summer" in a world where Tolkien supposedly never wrote The Books.
Aranadhel
· 9 May 2016
· Chapter 15: Glorfindel and Elrond
Thank you for putting it up on schedule.
obsidianj
· 7 May 2016
· Chapter 14: The Picnic
I'm not happy about Glorfindel telling tales that are not true to impress the youngsters may they be mortal or elven. He is undermining their trust when it comes out that he just made it up. Vorondur's sons will not appreciate being lied to and the mortal children once they figure out it was just made up will not listen to any warnings the elves might give them when it is really serious.
Author's reply
No, it's not an ideal situation, but I think that Glorfindel in his current state is possibly irritated with many things. He also might not have seen it as 'telling tales to impress', rather a way to give them a shock. I agree that this isn't an ideal situation, but then Glorfindel is obviously not himself.
Thank you so much for reviewing!
Shemyaza xxx
Lyana
· 4 May 2016
· Chapter 14: The Picnic
Oh my. I'm not liking the sounds of Glorfindel's capacity for deception... Wonder if it's something he's developed over the years of creating a number of personas, or is actually part of the fading.
Author's reply
Hi Lyana, I suspect that the capacity for deception is something which has developed over the years. Also remember that he's spent centuries mingling with human beings and we are by nature a deceptive bunch. A lot of it may have rubbed off on him.
Thank you for reviewing!
Shemyaza xxxx
Larner
· 3 May 2016
· Chapter 14: The Picnic
The comments reminiscent of Tom Bombadil or Treebeard seemed a bit overblown in this situation, I thought, and I'd love to know the mechanics of Legolas's trick with the rock. Mind magic or suggestion?
At least they are getting things in order to support Glorfindel as well as they can.
Author's reply
I think the mechanics of Legolas's trick with the rock are locked away firmly in Arthu's mind.I wish we still had him here to ask, believe me. I and the other two ladies greatly enjoyed our discussions with Arthur on all things Tolkien. It's taken a long time for us to even contemplate publishing his chapters, albeit incomplete, of his unfinished work.
Yes, I think that the others are now keeping Glorfindel grounded and that's a good thing. Him going 'fey' an unpredictable on everyone is probably not the best situation!
Thank you for reviewing!
Shemyaza xxx
Larner
· 2 May 2016
· Chapter 13: Counseling Session with Alex
Somehow I missed this one. Interesting! Glad that Ron and others are there as Alex settles into becoming more fully Alex and less the assassin he was before.
Another cockroach, I see. Heh!
UTfrog
· 2 May 2016
· Chapter 14: The Picnic
So glad to have any updates to this story. Glad Elrond seems to be finding a new way. Love the name Kelly for his wife.
Author's reply
Thank you, we three ladies appreciate that greatly. Elrond certainly will be an asset if he gets trained, that's for sure! Oddly, I can't see Celebrian as a Kelly either; maybe she'll grow into her name!
Thank you again for reviewing. I don't always have the time to answer the reviews, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate that you do.
Shemyaza xxxx
obsidianj
· 30 April 2016
· Chapter 13: Counseling Session with Alex
This chapter has another one of Vorondur's priceless files. Adaptbility: Cockroach. That made me laugh. Alex still has a lot of ballast. Let's hope, he can overcome it with Ron's and Felicitas' help
Lindelea
· 27 April 2016
· Chapter 13: Counseling Session with Alex
P.S. to Fiondil's betas
Thank you.
I mean that fervently. Thank you so much for bringing these chapters to light. It must be especially difficult, not just with the real-life things that interrupt the pleasures of fanfic, but the pain of loss of the conversation that, I'm sure, was a pleasure in itself. (I loved the give-and-take of beta reading, whether I was doing the beta work, or someone else was polishing one of my stories with a careful, loving hand.)
I am grateful each time I check back in hopes of seeing a new chapter; if I see one, I say a quiet "thank you" -- which doesn't do you all a heck of a lot of good, which is why I'm writing this note. If I don't see a new chapter, I send up a prayer for you, knowing how real life can and often will throw us for a loop.
In any event, thank you for all you do. To sort of quote an author whose stories have brought me food for thought, comfort, and wonder: It's much appreciated.
Author's reply
Thank you for your patience and understanding, we appreciate it greatly. It is difficult, we do all have real life jobs and families, not to mention family and personal issues. We all do miss talking to Arthur and getting his unique perspective on the world of Tolkien.
Shemyaza xxx
Lindelea
· 27 April 2016
· Chapter 13: Counseling Session with Alex
(responding to other reviews)
I am so glad that reports of Alex's death were slightly exaggerated! (to coin a phrase)
Fascinating... but also a little unnerving. All these people scattering, many going to Fairbanks, while an undefined sense of menace hovers. Is something potentially catastrophic threatening in Fairbanks, or back "home" in Wiseman, sometime in the near future?
And both Loren and Alex seem to be under some sort of oppression... I get the impression they might end up fighting back-to-back in some future scene.
We still don't know who attacked Loren and left him for dead, or do we?
(I need to go back and re-read the EA series, but just don't have time right now.)
...bringing a fresh supply of coffee, wine, and the best pizza in the Western Hemisphere to the Cliff House.