I've enjoyed that story a lot. :) now I'm only at 18th chapter and I can not explain to myself the king's decision. Why he did go with entire army to Harad? Why he would not get some little band of trusted warriors like silent and stealth elves and some others and get to the rescue of the hobbits without all this noise and glamour and without the need to reason with all those kings of dangerous and petty kingdoms? I dont understand this really. Why endanger entire army and all of Gondor safety and even the hobbits in slavery? I hope I would understand better this with reading more chapters? I hope that the Elessar has some great and cunny plan?
Thank you much for all your stories :) As a hopeless fan of Tolkien's works I usually find shelter and calmness and hope in all of his Arda universe, but also in any long and interesting novel lenght fanfiction I can get my hand on :)
Greetings from your fan :)
Tallis
p.s. I - or my more devious and predator's part :) - hope for a good "Gimli thrashing some of the Haradrim's warriors scene" hehe :D

I had been following this story at Stories of Arda, and didn't realize it was already finished here - I'm so glad you wrote it! This is one of the very best stories I've read in all the years I've been reading fanfiction, and your work consistently keeps me up past my bedtime! Thanks so much!

T

I wanted to finish this one last night, and then at chapter 43, the site went down. But now I've made it through.

I think I understand why you won't let Ferdi have a complete healing this time, even though it's sad. And after the first irratonality, he is taking it quite well.

The part about the abducted hobbits - to think that at the beginning of the 20th century, they were actually keeping people from "uncivilised" countries in zoos, it's just terrible.

I enjoyed the story of Elanor and Fastred, and the ideas you had about the Westmarch.

A special compliment for your choice of chapter titles - I needed a few chapters to make sure you were doing what I thought you were doing, as I of course know the cantatas in German.

All the best, Nienor

This is another great story. The problem with most post-Quest stories is the lack of the other characters. You've managed that incredibly.

Expect a couple more reviews tomorrow as I work through the backlog of your stories.

Ah! Such a good ending for such a good tale! And to see the step back we'll be taking with Truth, where we'll see out to this. There isn't much else that I can say about this - I love Sam and Pippin, of course, and I love them a bit more each time that I see them.

M, and Ferdi, too, but of course.

Beautifully done. The characters are so believeable, and the situations are as well. I love that you have managed to make a complete, living, breathing story out of a few mere details, and what's more, almost completely invent the culture of the Haradrim. I loved this story! So amazing!

~Elanial

I guess the end has to come sometime. Good thing we have sequels to look forward to. It was nice to see that Ferdi seems to have coped with being blind! Thank you for all your wonderful work!

Fastred *is* the right hobbit for the job. Perhaps because he's a native of the land...

That was an excellent ending. I hope to see the first chapters of "Truth" up soon!

You are very wicked - no hint of if Ferdi is still blind four years hence. I have a feeling we will find out. Isn't Fastred rather young to become Warden? Thank you for this wonderful story. I remain one of your biggest fans.

He's still blind?

No, that can't be right...

Aw. It is rather sad to see such a magnificent story come to an end. I knew it would be Fastred! The name does have a ring to it: Fastred, Warden of the Westmarch.

I can't wait for the sequel!

Aw, I hate to see this story go. I'm looking forward to more of "FirstBorn" and to the first chapter of "Truth," though. This was a nice way to end this story, I was as surprised as Pippin was when Sam mentioned Fastred being Warden of Westmarch. Not a handy time for Pip to take a drink, that was funny, though not for him. Ah, poor Ferdi, still can't see, I feel so bad for him still! We all agree, Ferdi is right, he knows what he's talking about. His toast was perfect, just like I'd like to toast you and "To the future," of your stories! This was such a wonderful story, I can't wait for the next!

Ah, so Sam can still surprise Pippin now and then. Good to see it. And a fine grandson as well, to look forward to hearing about.

I'm not sure the story needed this chapter - it seemed tied up neat and tidy after the last one, except it was good to hear Ferdi feeling hale and confident. Of course, if your intention was to whet our appetites for the sequel, it has done that. Sort of like the promos at the end of a television show, "Stay tuned! Next time on 'Hobbits of the Shire' the continuing story of the Tooks, the Brandybucks and those who love them..." You know we'll be waiting.

I love weddings! I cry even though they are happy occassions *sigh* Thank you for the wedding it was wonderful! I dont' remember how far this story is to go but I'm pretty sure I still have some to look forward to! Thank you so much!

I liked the thought of how the Big Folk were at the hobbits' weddings. That brought an interesting picture to mind...