I started reading this (having picked it at random from the updates column) as a sort of brain Drano from writing my own fic and was astounded at its depth and quality and how damn entertaining it was. I've often thought of writing a story like this one, where ME intrudes and/or melds somewhat with our modern world, and I can say with all honesty that this is the kind of story I wish I could write.

Very well done. I do hope you decide to write sequels/prequels. I'd be very interested in reading them.

Author's Response: Thank you. I'll try.

I completely adore this prologue. I love the concept of presenting it in 'campfire tale' form first---narrated by a bard in a safe environment with all the messy details streamlined and organized into resonance. Then going back in future chapters and telling it again, with all the confusion and grit and contradictions. I've never seen a prologue like this before. Excellent!

Author's Response: Than you, Pink Siamese, for your kind words. We did indeed put a lot of work in the Prologue. I will copy your review and post it on our site http://www.northernkingdom.proboards98.com - it will cheer the others up. Greetings, Gordis.

Okay, that's pretty funny. ;-)

Author's Response: Thanks! :D

LOL...sometimes I write what I call "Green Room Fics," where all the characters that I write about are waiting in the green room, waiting for their turn on the "stage." I haven't written one in awhile, but when I get really going into a story, once in awhile the silliness will spill out. Very entertaining, though I don't think someone who isn't a writer will get it. ;-)

Author's Response:
Glad you liked it. Might be that not everyone will understand it, but when I wrote it, I needed to get it off my mind, as it did not let me rest. Was the first thing I ever posted, I suppose there are still some mistakes in it as well, as it was not properly beta-ed.

I had musings in such a direction as well, a parody. Imagining all the fanfics were played in some kind of giant theatre, with different staged. The characters spend most of their time there, practicing their parts or playing for the audience. There is a large, luxurious area where the characters can go to relax, talk or be in private. A very noble restaurant, with all the favorite food and drink of the characters (e.g. Sauron’s favorite tea is ‘Speacial Mordor Blend’ tee leaves hand picked by elvish slaves.) There is a lounge for them to read favorite books (e.g. Celeborn reading: My insignificant life at the side of a strong woman – learning how to accept it) one to listen to music, … I wrote some small drafts in German a while ago, but cannot find them any longer. The thoughts urged me into manipulating with some pictures, Glorfindel practicing some scenes, riding on a giant, wooden Asfaloth … naked.

I think this makes a lot of sense as long as there are still a few random Elves lingering in Middle-earth. Once all of them have departed, I imagine they'd take their ships back to Valinor and that would be the end of any traffic. While it's easy to take a more emotional view of the Tolkienverse, as writers of fanfic it's good for us to remember that Tolkien wrote these stories as a history, and that in the matter of history practicalities still apply. Elves strive to live in harmony with the natural world---that they would denude the forests in order to avoid reusing ships is antithetical to what we know of their race. Their reverence for forests is a defining characteristic. That alone supports the idea that they would keep the shipping lines open, so to speak. As long as the shipping lines are open, what is it to carry a little mail now and then?

Author's Response: I believe that there would still be a substantial number of Elves remaining in Middle Earth during the early decades of the Fourth Age. At this time, Thranduil's kingdom is still flourishing in the north and Celeborn is founding East Lorien. I'm certain that a small number of diehard Elves would still be living in Lothlorien for a few decades after Galadriel sailed to the West. And Legolas must have had a substantial community of followers if they were to beautify and manage Greenwood in Ithilien after the War of the Ring. I'm basing most of these ideas from what I've read in "The Atlas of Middle Earth" and "The Complete Guide to Middle Earth".

Besides mail, I don't think it would be unreasonable to assume that a limited amount of trade goods and/or gifts would also be carried. In the above mentioned chapter of "Arwen's Journey", Aragorn alludes to a small cask of fine pipeweed which Evenstar had previously sent to our Hobbit hero.

My profuse thanks for your thoughtful and insightful review.

Very nice work.

Author's Response: Thank you, Pink Siamese. Happy you enjoyed it.

Awhile back I came across a story in a Southern Lit anthology that turned out to be a fanfiction based on one of William Faulkner's short stories (A Rose For Emily). I squeed so loud that I startled my mother. ;) But yeah, derivative works have been around as long as...well, as the works they're derived from. Neil Gaiman wrote Chronicles of Narnia fanfiction ("The Problem of Susan") and of course there's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The film 10 Things I Hate About You is a reinterpretation of Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew. So yeah, the list goes on and on. I'll continue to maintain that people who loathe fanfiction feel threatened by it on some deep level. I suppose on some level it kills the myth of being "original," and an insecure artist is usually the first to tell you how "original" their original fiction is. At bottom everything is derivative, either from art or from life.

Author's Response: Oooh - what's the name of the Faulkner-based story? And I think I need to read "The Problem of Susan" too; is it about how she grew away from the other three children? Gah, I guess I'll read and find out. " I'll continue to maintain that people who loathe fanfiction feel threatened by it on some deep level" - probably true, but I wonder why they feel that way?

Is this going to be in parts?

Author's Response: Yeah, I tend to write several stories at once...this one isn't going to be long, though. Two or three chapters plus the prologue, I reckon.

I patiently await the revelation. :)

Author's Response: Teehee :) won't be long! Thank you for R&Ring.

I could really just hijack most of Spiced Wine's review...the dialogue in this chapter is superb: natural rhythm, lovely pacing, and a deepening level of intimacy that is skillfully handled and believably presented. I love how you're revealing the story to us a little bit at a time, creating a little bit of that same intimacy between the story and the reader, which of course draws us in ever tighter. And the cliffie is great! Lovely work, as usual. ;)

Author's Response: I could really just hijack most of Spiced Wine's review...woot! Thank you so much *glows* when I get a nice review from you, SW or both, it's like a teacher putting a gold star on my work - makes my day! Like I was saying to Kitt, I have to pace myself in terms of how quickly I reveal the info - now I know where I'm going (and it's not where I thought I was going originally, but then again it never is) I can't wait to share it with the readers. Glad you enjoyed the dialogue, too; I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for reading and reviewing, as ever!