Re Chapter 11: I was wondering why Saruman was able to deceive both Galadriel and Elrond. But now I think it has to do with the rings. It would explain the slow death of the elven realms that Gandalf (Rivendell) and Legolas (Lorien) note. And it would explain why Legolas and obviously Arwen see a different future for Estel. By the way, I loved that you included Arwen - had not expected that. It's a mix between canon and your own ideas and that read very natural. Estel's awestruck reactions and Arwen's etheral appearance, all in all it was a beautiful scene!

Hi back!

I'm definitely with you on the canon question. You don't have to know anything about canon to write AU, but generally what comes up will be something so warped it has nothing to do with the original universe. Not at all interesting, in my opinion. But when someone knows all his facts and *then* sits down and writes an AU something fascinating will surely come out. Because only then you can do the source and the characters justice.

I'm also reccing the hell out of this story, so I hope a few readers will stop by:) 

ROFTL, I always thought most of the stuff the characters are wearing in LOTR is MOST impractical - especially the wizards and the elves. All those hems and long sleeves, they just beg you to dip them in the food you meant to eat. That's probably why they're all immortal. It takes a few lifetimes to managed clothing like that elegantly!



Oh, and do you know the "Istari White" comic? Fits your ficlet perfectly...

Author's Response: I agree! I love long, flowing outfits myself, but as a rather clumsy person, I just don\'t have the time to check my every move for my hem. I don\'t know \"Istari White\" -- I\'ll check it out.

Author's Response: Oh, and it did seem suspicious that the Istari whose color would be difficult to keep dyed in wool were the ones that disappeared.

Ahhh, I remember Jael mentioned something about spiders' silk in one of her stories. I found it gross even then (you know me, highly arachnophobic). But thinking about it, it does make sense. Humans maybe wouldn't bother. But if you look at the vain elves with all their fancy clothes... they have to get the cloth for it somewhere! And since I don't think they're trading with the Haradrim...;-)

I liked the women in this. They do something that's important to society (or everyone would go naked - as if that was a bad thing *snickers*), but they still seem on the fringe of society. Their interaction with the warriors at least seems to be cut down to the barest necessities. Highly interesting!

Author's Response: Oh, you\'re right. If only Tathariel and the rest went on strike, they\'d all be running around naked. !! Maybe I should write a sequel to my story about Orcs unionizing and add it to the naked elves series. Thanks for the positive response. I think your point is well-observed and true in our society as well. We all need farm workers, but we don\'t interact with them, or spend much time worrying about their exposure to pesticides and industrial accidents.

LOL, why is it there anyway? I can't even remember adding it:) But I'm glad I could be of service!

Author's Response: Heheh. Those empty spaces are bunny holes.

Aragorn/Bilbo fics are my little guilty pleasure - I just enjoy them immensely. This was no different. It was funny, light-hearted and still had a lot of insight on the characters, they were spot on! Additionally, you chose to tell the story from Bilbo's POV, which was very convincing in my opinion. He came across very hobbity, and very Bilbo-like. All the talk about food, about Lobelia, the little mischief he draws Aragorn into; that was pure Bilbo in my opinion. And Aragorn is awefully quiet throughout, I can definitely see him observe everything and stash it away for further use. He does what Gandalf told him to do: He learns everything he can about hobbits. And I bet silently he terribly amused by it!

Author's Response: I hope so. I appreciate your comments. In particular, you put your finger on the thing that I\'m still thinking of editing.

Oh, what an ominous ending! Apart from the obvious choice of presenting Sauron as the cause for this aberration it would also be fun to have appear as a portal to *somewhere* else. I just can't shake my love for crossovers:) Still, I always like things that feel a little off and that are not explained in the greatest detail. Gives me something to think about!

Author's Response: Forgive my delay in responding. (I\'ve been working on a story for Teitho!) A portal to another world would have been neat. Too bad I didn\'t think of it. :o) I\'ve never written a crossover before. I\'ll have to try that one of these days. I also like things a little off sometimes. And it\'s fun to leave a bit of a mystery for the readers.

As I said in my mail, I loved this. A wonderful story about Harad. Just what I always wished for - there is a lot of "colourful" tradition here, very good descriptions and already the opening paragraph had me in stitches. Aragorn is the proverbial tourist - totally useless on his own, because he doesn't know his way around (and doesn't know the dangers, or the language) and his guide takes blatant advantage of that:)

Author's Response: Thanks. I had a lot of fun writing this (and I was being a tourist myself at the time).