That Fate Them Bore - story 6

[caraloup]

It’s been a while (a whole year, unfortunately...) since I’ve posted the last story in this series, but I’ve continued working on it meanwhile, and six additional ‘chapters’ are (mostly) finished and ready for posting. Since the gap between my last post and this one has grown so huge, I thought I should try and explain what this series is all about

Comments

[aliensouldream]

This is the first chapter of this story I've read and it's just amazing. I had a shiver running down my spine all through reading it, both mirroring the tension the hobbits feel and due to the richness and beauty of the writing. You place the reader so firmly in the landscape with such intense and finely woven detail, and the quotes scattered through Frodo's thoughs are like an echo you can hear whispered through the trees. If ever a writer was 'channelling the spirit' of JRRT, it applies here. The land-rootedness of the hobbits was never more present in any fanfic.

I am very interested in the time period this story occupies as it always seemed to me the most richly potent with untold tales. What a treat to find a writer of such skill and intelligence tackling that journey. I will be going back to read the whole story but just wanted to leave my comments for this part. I am partuculary attracted to the fairytale atmosphere of mingled familiary and dread you evoke. You have written more than 'mere' fanfic here. May I friend

[caraloup]

Wow... well, it's no exaggeration to say that you've really made my day with all these amazing, incredibly flattering compliments! *thank you!* ...picture me blushing and speechless... :)

Like you, I've been fascinated by these very early stages of the quest for a long time, and it's a delight to be writing in that period when the hobbits' perceptions of the world are subtly changing and so many boundaries, visible and invisible, are crossed. Yes, they're all deeply rooted in the Shire, and for quite some time I've felt that it's impossible to write seriously about them unless the Shire and their attachment to it is present as well. I'm ever so pleased that that was tangible for you in the story! I do hope that you'll enjoy the earlier chapters as well.

Oh, and of course you're welcome to friend me - I'll happily friend you back. Thank you so much for your kind comments!

[aliensouldream]

Thank you! I have friended you :-)

[aliensouldream]

All the dread and terror of the Black Riders is very vividly conveyed in this chapter, as are Frodo's feelings of guilt and helplessness, leading to his temptation by the Ring. All of it is enhanced by your loving descriptions of the countryside, and the physical and sensory detail that places us there in the moment. I love how every hedge and tree awakes a memory of some kind; as well as being a magnificent setting, it speaks of so much history. In the exchange with Sam about his childhood adventures, Frodo seems to draw strength from the past and their deep knowledge of the Shire. I thought there was some hysteria in his last thoughts, his impulse to laugh manically in the face of such terrible danger, and it felt very real and moving.