Yes! Resolution and absolution for Maglor.

You've sustained the dramatic tension of this story, while constantly introducing new elements. It really seems epic, Jules.

Author's Response: Thank you. To me, the middle seems like an interlude.

With every chapter, you keep my interest piqued. This is a truly original tale.

Faris seems like a Faramir figure, and not only because of the coincidence of sound between their names.

Author's Response: Hmmm...this is actually the first time I noticed the similarity of their names. But yes, I wanted to make Faris into somebody like Faramir or Beleg Cuthalion--brave, loyal, and truly dedicated. He\'s meant to almost be a contrast with Robert Tilton who, despite his original enthusiasm for Gandalf\'s work, goes the wrong way about expressing his enthusiasm--i.e. ignoring his family\'s displeasure--and, in the end, loses interest completely because he feels that \"his job is done.\"

That's a sad way to see the hobbits at last. How do they know that those are the last hobbits in the world, though?

Author's Response: I suppose I shouldn\'t have said \"know,\" but \"feel.\" Because you\'re right that they wouldn\'t know for sure. I can change it pretty quickly.

I'm glad that the Disney version includes Denethor's palantir, even though I KNOW he's not going to burn. Great story so far.

Author's Response: Yeah...isn\'t it sad to know that Disney actually did something better than PJ did?

Very funny, Anais!

It's good. You should add it to Ithildin's challenge, "The Fair Words of Elves".

Author's Response: Thanks. :) I will, now that you mention it.

I think Tolkien would be able to handle the cutting out of Tom Bombadil . . . it's so like the flexibility of oral epics. I like the way that he figures out the changes, even though he doesn't like them all. Me, I've never gotten over the fact that Frodo figures out the riddle of the doors instead of Merry, even though I know why.

I'm looking forward to what you have to say about the second and third movies -- I think Tolkien would hate the glorification of the battle for Helm's Deep: It always seemed like a backdrop for the Legolas-Gimli friendship in the book.

Author's Response: Yeah, I think that went on way too long, it only took up one chapter in the book, but I guess it appealed to a lot of people. I\'m trying to decide how Tolkien should deal with the whole \"Aragorn fell\" sequence. I\'m updating soon!

You write from Legolas' point of view very well. I'm reading this story for the second time, and I enjoyed both the narrative and the soap bubble motif very much.

Ophelia, this is a great turning-point scene. I just read your author info and two things came to mind.

1. Cape Cod! My family used to go to Cape Cod in the summers -- Wellfleet, especially. You're right: It really is its own world.

2. You're also right that it can be hard to write fanfiction, but I think it's a great writing workshop environment. When you're doing completely original work, you have to create everything, while when you write fanfiction, the world and many of its characters are pre-made, giving you more time to focus on your technique.

Good luck and keep writing!

Author's Response: Thanks for the review! I\'m glad you liked the scene- it really does seem like more of a scene than a stand-alone, essay doesn\'t it? I just need to write a story around it... That\'s cool that you know the Cape. I used to live sort-of near Wellfleet. It\'s a pretty town. Thanks for your advice concerning fanfiction, though personally, I disagree. As much as I love playing around in Tolkien\'s world, I always have the distinct feeling that I\'m jamming an extra puzzle piece into an already-completed puzzle. I do it for fun, but the original creative spark isn\'t there. The world isn\'t mine. I guess that\'s probably just a personal feeling, though, because I\'ve certainly read a lot of fantastic writing on this site, yours included. Anyway, thanks for the review! Ophelia