 | VoicePost  316K 3:19 | “Gandalf laughed. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. `I did not bite, and I barked very little. So overjoyed was I by the news that I got out of him, when he stopped quaking, that I embraced the old fellow. How it happened I could not then guess, but I learned that you had been in Bree the night before, and had gone off that morning with Strider. Transcribed by: ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} blslarner |
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Where are you, my elusive Eagle of the Star? Who are you, and what are you? Why did you come? What do you want? Does your star ascend or descend? Or is it fated to fall in a brilliant shower of fire?
You are no Rohir, for all you came to us from Thengel’s court. There are those who, looking at you, have been willing to swear that my father must have played my mother false, and that you and I must be brothers by blood. You are fluent in Sindarin and Quenya as well as Rohirric and Adunaic, although you use phrases uncommon to either Gondor or Umbar. Those who have come to us from the North, those we have ever referred to as the Lost, respond to you with far more deference than they show to me or my father. Oh, there is no question they respect us and our orders; but they stand straighter when they come before you, and are quicker to follow orders, although they also are more likely to question you as to your intent. There is a feeling of familiarity between you and the other northern mercenaries.
So, I wonder, do they see you as their Gil-Estel? Do they guide themselves by your light? But no fixed star are you--a wandering planet, rather. Nor, I find, can I track you within the Palantir of Minas Anor. All I find when I would look upon your doings is a brilliant light and sometimes the disapproving face of a woman of great beauty.
I wonder--by what star do you set your own course?
Another sample from the ficlets written for this year's There and Back Again Community Advent Calendar Challenge.
“You know the law that I have made, Faramir--that no stranger to Gondor is to walk freely through Ithilien.”
“Yes, Father, and usually I would agree with you.”
“But these two and the gangrel creature you describe as their guide--you held them not, and did not bring them here to Minas Tirith for my judgment.”
“You know that I did not, Father. I would not have that--thing--anywhere near anyone I love. I could see in the Halfling’s eyes how very much it cost him merely to bear it.”
“But he does not know the way! And what way does the other creature know that leads off of the road to the cursed city of the Nazgûl, and how does he know of it?”
“There is but one way I have been advised of, Father--the Pass of Cirith Ungol. I know that it is a way of dread; but then all ways that lead into the Nameless One’s lands are ways of dread, are they not? As for how he knows of it--that I cannot say. We had no time together to share all that each of us knows--or guesses.”
“I will remind you that were you a lesser man of Gondor your life should be forfeit for what you have done.”
“Then suffer that justice to fall on me, if my judgment should prove ill. But each of us must judge as we might, and I will not regret my decision even if I must kneel to the sword of the headsman. And Peregrin’s kinsman--were he a Man rather than a Pherian I would say of him he is one whose own judgment is keen. I saw it in his eyes--he knows that he will not return from this quest. He will either die upon the way, or within the Sammath Naur itself.”
“And what is it that you mean to say to me with this?”
Faramir sighed and rolled his shoulders, his eyes weary and sad. “Only this--by sending him onward I have merely assured that in the end he will suffer the death that is to be the fate of strangers within Ithilien.” He raised his chin defiantly. “Perhaps I have not administered your justice directly, but I have set it in motion, I fear, as surely as if I held the headsman’s sword myself.”
Another sample from my Advent Calendar ficlets for the There-and-Back-Again Community.
He looks down, not dispassionately as many believe, but with the patience he has learned in over two Ages of the Sun, sailing the Seas of Night. The time is not yet to seek landfall upon the shores of Middle Earth, although that day will come at the end. Therefore there is nothing that he can do to aid those he would so favor save to be what he has become--to shine out the brighter against the darkness that seeks to overwhelm those who labor to protect the world as the Light of Hope itself.
And this night he shines down upon several. The latest of the heirs of his departed son stands outside his tent, peering upward in search of heartening; it is likely that tomorrow his forces will face an attempt at an ambush, and he prays he has anticipated and planned wisely. His remaining son and that one’s daughter stand together upon a balcony in their hidden valley, also praying that their preparations for defense are enough. In Gondor the young Man who is now Steward stands upon the walls, peering eastward and upward, praying for those who seek to draw the Eye northward, away from the true danger that threatens the Lord of Mordor. And huddled together among the stones and dust of that land two tiny figures rest, one peering upwards in hope through the rent in Sauron’s veils, the other near blinded by the encroaching darkness whose center lies over his heart.
He cannot bring his ship and his sword to the aid of any of these, but he will hearten each as he can....
(Being a sample of the ficlets written for the There-and-Back-Again Advent Calendar Tarot Challenge, found at http://community.livejournal.com/there_
My ficlets can be read at: http://community.livejournal.com/there_
Enjoy!
“I’m not certain what to do with you, Frodo Baggins!” Primula held her faunt up before her face, and tried to appear stern as he opened his blue eyes to their widest extent and stared into hers as if he hadn’t the slightest idea as to what had disturbed her. But the bluish tinge about his mouth told of how it was her bowl of brambleberries was now empty.
“Oh, you scamp!” she said. “Those were intended for a pie for your Uncle Bilbo! Now we’ll have to eat strawberries and cream instead.”
The child broke into a wide grin.
( Read more... )
I didn't think when I agreed to take October 26th that both these stories should end up being posted on the same day! Hope that folk don't feel surfieted!
Anyway, there are four challenge stories up so far, and you might also look to the A_L_E_C stories also, at http://community.livejournal.com/a_l_e_
Happy October, and may all enjoy themselves leading up to Halloween!
Hope it pleases!
