Larrkin's Nest

March 28th, 2009

If It’s Good Enough for Strider . . . .

3/28/09 07:10 pm

What’s this? A . . . a story? Yes, my patient readers! The muse became inspired after returning from our annual business trip and – ta-da! We have a new story! It felt so great to be writing once again, and I’m delighted to have something to post. Maybe now that the muse has been jump-started it’ll stick around for a while and begin producing again. So let’s continue to keep our collective fingers crossed, as it seems to have worked before. I hope you enjoy!

After Frodo and Sam leave the Fellowship at Parth Galen and paddle across the lake, Sam has something to discuss with Frodo when they arrive on the far shore.

( If It's Good Enough For Strider )

February 16th, 2009

ta-ta for now!

2/16/09 09:45 pm

Yes, dear readers, its time once again for “Larrk’s Annual Business Trip.” Those of you who have been with me for a while might recall that every year around this time my ‘business trip’ takes me to a place that is *gulp* computer-free. Tomorrow I’ll begin two weeks of offline limbo, and, you know, it occurs to me that, since I’ll have no keyboard and no modern means of documentation, well, wouldn’t it be just like LeMuse to wake up and come back online when I’m not there to write things down? After all the silence I can just see it choosing this moment to come out and play.

Well, I might not have access to those modern means, but I will have pen and paper, so if my fickle bratling of a muse starts talking I’ll be listening and scribbling. Let’s keep our collective fingers crossed and I’ll see you in a fortnight!

Best to all and Namarie!
Larrk

January 20th, 2009

a little fun eye candy

1/20/09 09:19 am

For several weeks now the cold has been brutal and the snow very deep where I live. But yesterday dancingkatz sent me a pressie that made me giggle and warmed me up, a juicy little avatar I’d like to share with all of you. I don’t know who made it, so, alas, I can’t credit it. But I hope you enjoy, and thanks, dancingkatz!

By the way, does anyone know, are these the real deal? What say you, my friends? Are these actual screen caps of the actors' . . . charms?

January 1st, 2009

A little New Year's fun!

1/1/09 10:05 am

Laura posted this quiz on her LJ, and her ‘result’ was so dead on that my curiosity was roused. Only three questions in the whole quiz? Hmm. But, holy cats! My result was not only dead on, too, but it matched me to one of my favorite celebrities of all time. So here’s a fun little New Year’s Day meme to distract you from any lingering celebratory woozies!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

mm.audrey_.jpg

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

* If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure

* I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this

* Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit

* Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally

* Ask me questions to help me get clear

* Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery

* Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings

* I like a good discussion but not a confrontation

* Let me know you like what I've done or said

* Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

* being nonjudgmental and accepting

* caring for and being concerned about others

* being able to relax and have a good time

* knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around

* my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator

* my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now

* being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

* being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive

* being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline

* being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally

* being confused about what I really want

* caring too much about what others will think of me

* not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

* feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant

* tune out a lot, especially when others argue

* are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

* are supportive, kind, and warm

* are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

December 26th, 2008

A New Twist on The Twelve Days

12/26/08 04:09 pm

Season's Greetings all! Readers have been so kind this year, sending e-cards and holiday wishes - Le Muse and I are feeling downright spoiled and grateful. Something special came my way today from our dear reader Christine aka Dancingkatz. It tickled LMuse and me so that I asked the author if I could share it with all of you, and she graciously agreed. (thank you, Christine!) And so, I present for your enjoyment:

The Twelve Days of Yule (à la Larrkin's Nest)
by Dancingkatz --

1 strong hand
2 mischievous Hobbits
3 stern Rangers
4 weak excuses
5 not-so-smart ideas
6 bottles of Dorwinion wine
7 swordbelts divested
8 exasperating excuses
9 worried looks
10 pranks played
11 eventful episodes (of "certain doom")
12 anxious apologies
*~*~*~*~*~*~*

And a wish for very happy remaining days of the Yuletide season to you all!

November 23rd, 2008

Sparrow's song

11/23/08 06:54 pm

Greetings my dear readers!

Yesterday a little sparrow flew into my email and informed me that someone over on Adult Fan Fiction.net had “borrowed” rather freely from one of my stories, Attention Deserved. The little sparrow, a stranger to me, was outraged on my behalf and had gone so far as to leave a scathing review for the offending author. I was touched by this unknown little bird’s concern and I was, naturally, curious. So over to AFF I trotted and what I found in the heading gave me considerable pause. Here’s the author’s description of the story:

Genres: Abuse, Anal, Angst, AU/AR, BDSM, Bond, ChallengeFic, D/s, Dom, Fet, H/C, HJ, Humil, Humour, Language, M/M, N/C, Oral, Other, Pedofelia, Rape, Rim, Romance, Slave, SoloM, Spank, UST, Violence, Voy, WAF, WD, WIP, Yaoi

Warnings: Explicit descriptions of sex, graphic violence, strong language, non/con, Rape, Pedofelia, BDSM, LOTR spoilers, Slave, AU
****

To quote Gwin, “Ew.” I mean, pedophilia? With an ‘f’ even? I admit it – I’m a wuss. I could barely get through the warnings much less actually read the thing, and I didn't. But, if the alleged theft was indeed true I felt kinda sullied to learn that this author had possibly taken my setting(s), relationship(s), and god-knew-what-else(s) to such a place. I did skim some of the first chapter, though, looking for what had so scandalized my little sparrow, and lo and behold I came upon this passage, which occurs soon after the story opens. Does this sound familiar to you?

( take a peek )

October 24th, 2008

Wretched Larrk Alert!

10/24/08 01:21 pm

Greetings all! Yes, I’m still alive, and I’d love to be writing, but Le Muse is being elusive and contrary and I’m bored to tears and Royally Fed Up. So it’s bunny call time! Help! Does anyone have a stray bunny or two? A prompt? An idea? Something you’ve been longing to see written featuring your favorite(s)? Send it my way and let’s see if we can inspire the muse to rejoin the living. No promises of course, as I never know what will tickle Le Muse’s finicky fancy, but I just know that somewhere out there is a bunny it can’t resist.

In eager anticipation,
Larrk

July 3rd, 2008

The Comfort of Consequences – part IV ; Epilogue

7/3/08 08:03 am

At last, the conclusion to this duel tale, and – *gasp!* – our tricksy little muse jumped up and tagged on an epilogue to seal things off. It likes to surprise me by staging such ambushes. That being said, I admit that I can’t predict when the next story will show up. But my constant hope is that it won’t be long. ‘Till then, thanks for reading, and special hugs to all who have encouraged and delighted the muse and me with your supportive responses!

Two very similar stories – Frodo decides to assert his adulthood, and in the course of stopping him, Legolas recalls a time when Glorfindel stopped him from doing the same thing.

part one is here.

part two is here.

part three is here

( The Comfort of Consequences – part IV-Epilogue )

July 1st, 2008

100,000!

7/1/08 11:52 am

100,000! Or – One-hundred thousand! Either way, it looks beautiful. I’m grateful to all my readers who have so enthusiastically supported my little Middle Earth Nest. This place is home to me, where the muse and I happily play and create and reveal those untold stories about the characters we all love. I’m rich beyond measure to have a readership willing to come play and enjoy our special vision.

So, many thanks to you all, and here’s to the next 100,000! Or – Two-hundred thou!

Namarie!
Larrk
PS: Look for the final chapter of 'Comfort' tomorrow or the next day. I'm just finishing up dotting the i's and crossing the t's. :D ~L

June 20th, 2008

The Comfort of Consequences - part III - fanfiction

6/20/08 10:27 am

Part three – and now we know why our young elf is stretched out over Glorfindel’s knee. Legolas literally landed in some BIG trouble. He knows he has this coming, but from Glorfindel! Yikes! Of all the rotten luck! Legolas is horrified, his secret passion for this glorious elf making his humiliation all the worse.

Next time we return to Frodo for the final part of this story. His spanking was just beginning when we left him, and Legolas learned from the best, so our Frodo has an ordeal of his own ahead of him. But first, Legolas once again comes up against Glorfindel’s talents in administering a spanking . . . .

Two very similar stories – Frodo decides to assert his adulthood, and in the course of stopping him, Legolas recalls a time when Glorfindel stopped him from doing the same thing.

part one is here.

part two is here.

( The Comfort of Consequences – part III )

June 11th, 2008

The Comfort of Consequences - part II - fanfiction

6/11/08 08:30 am

Onward to part two! We pick up where part one left off, sometime in the past, long before Aragorn was born and long before the Quest. Legolas is now a very young elf, the equivalent of a teenager, and he’s decided that he’s tired of being treated like a kid. It’s time to ‘grow up.’ So he’s left behind his mischievous life with Elladan and Elrohir and he’s been dedicating himself to becoming an independent adult elf.

After avoiding both Rivendell and the twins for, “ . . . a short while – a hundred years or so . . .” he once again finds himself back in Rivendell, where, to his delight, the twins are away from home and Glorfindel (for whom Legolas has held a secret passion since, oh, forever,) is in residence. So, without further ado, part two!

Two very similar stories – Frodo decides to assert his adulthood, and in the course of stopping him, Legolas recalls a time when Glorfindel stopped him from doing the same thing.

part one is here.

( The Comfort of Consequences – part II )

June 1st, 2008

The Comfort of Consequences - part I - fanfiction

6/1/08 08:42 am

As promised, here’s part one of the new story. Several more parts will follow – at least three, possibly four, depending on where I end up making breaks. The muse and I are now off to do the final read-throughs and edits on part two before sending it to our faithful betas. “No rest for the weary,” as they say . . . or, do they say, “No rest for the wicked?” Hmm. Choose your adjective/noun, I guess. Either applies.

Where was I? Oh, yes, the story. Many thanks to all of you who have been so patient. The cookies paid off, to be sure, as few things keep the muse more productive than a sincere sugar high. But, most importantly, you recognize how the muse blossoms under attention. So I’m grateful for yours, and I hope to keep hearing from you. Enjoy! Part two anon –

Two very similar stories – Frodo decides to assert his adulthood, and in the course of stopping him, Legolas recalls a time when Glorfindel stopped him from doing the same thing.

( The Comfort of Consequences )

May 30th, 2008

It's Bilbo!

5/30/08 12:30 pm

I’m very excited about something I just read about on my ‘homepage’ – The One Ring.net. James McAvoy is rumored to be the favorite to take the role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit! I’m thrilled, because way back before they even announced that The Hobbit was really and truly going to be made, I’d longed for this wonderful actor to play Bilbo.

I’d first seen him in the role of Mr. Tumnus, the faun, in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. He was also in Becoming Jane, wherein he played Jane Austin’s love interest, and he’s been in several other important films that I missed, The Last King of Scotland, and most recently, Atonement.

I simply LOVE him! I had been hoping he’d be tapped for Bilbo and now, Oh Joy! Looks like that might happen.

More about the rumor here.

And here’s James’ bio on IMDB, where there are more pics available.

Just wanted to pop in and share my excitement!

May 18th, 2008

New story sighting!

5/18/08 07:41 pm

Greetings all! A few weeks ago, on my last entry, I was having a delightful little back and forth with a few readers, and I was told that there's a quiet fellowship of Larrk fans out there who are 'always watching.' I was pretty tickled to learn that, and so it's to my Fellowship of Larrk Watchers that I address this little update.

The story I'd been working on and chatting about then has been coming along nicely, and hopefully I can begin posting it within the next few weeks. That's providing all goes as it should and my life isn't plagued by some prohibitive weirdness. (Regular weirdness is, let's face it, just going to happen.) It'll take some time to get the story through final editing and beta-ing because this puppy is huge - 58 pages thus far and it's not yet finished. So when it's completed I'll send it to my courageous betas a section at a time whilst I keep editing and blah, blah, blah, never mind. Bottom line, it'll likely go up in three, perhaps four installments spread out over however long it takes to complete. Hey, when the muse catches fire . . .

So, hang in there my loyal FoLW, and let's hope the prohibitive weirdness has better things to do than plague me and my poor beleaguered betas!

March 26th, 2008

Heads up about fan fiction.net

3/26/08 10:02 pm

Laura found out from a helpful pal on her flist that the formatting rules on fan fiction.net have changed. Asterisks, dashes or dots to mark section breaks (view point switches, etc.) in stories are now gone. They've totally vanished. *sigh* So, as it stands now in my stories on ff.net, there are no indications to show the reader that we've switched from one person's vp to another's.

Laura's on it, of course, bless her heart - ingeniously changing everything over to x's instead of dashes to show the breaks. But I just wanted to pass this info along, as ff.net hasn't made any announcement about it to their writers. :P

March 7th, 2008

Dead Wrong - fanfiction

3/7/08 09:16 am

I know. I’m pretty astonished about this myself. But, yep, it’s a new story! And it’s here because of you, my wonderful flist. First of all, I was very moved by all your gracious responses to my last post. And then, oddly enough, something about Halbarad popped up. ‘Mishi’ mentioned the profile Wikipedia has about him, and how they list him as being, uh, well . . . ahem . . . dead. Totally false info according to Larrk-canon, btw.

But one never knows what the muse might seize upon, and this little story - written in a single day - was birthed because of that erroneous Wiki post. So, you have yourselves to thank for this one, gang. Thanks for the inspiration, for your kindly thoughts, for making the muse and me feel valued and missed, and for all your good wishes. Just look what happened!

Halbarad dead? Not in my canon. It must be a case of mistaken identities.

( Dead Wrong )

February 28th, 2008

Notes from the void

2/28/08 07:45 pm

I’ve received a few ‘where are you, Larrk?’ type missives this week, and my conscience is now officially squirming. It’s very kind of folks to come hunting my negligent self, though, and I appreciate the thought.

I wondered if the muse’s sudden disappearance was in response to my calling it ‘lunatic’ in the opening notes to my last story. But, nah; the muse isn’t that thin-skinned. It does, however, vanish when RL trials become severe. Those of you who know about my “annual business trip” – which usually takes place at the beginning of the year – also know it’s beyond stressful and takes a good week of prep time before the event and another week of recovery time afterwards, sometimes more. This year brought some fairly terrifying ‘other matters’ on the heels of that recovery time, driving the muse even further afield. So, alas, I’ve been a muse-less, empty shell of a Larrk for a while. *sniffle* But the dark scary clouds have now lifted, so I have great hopes that the vacationing muse will feel safe to emerge once more. Lord, I hope so. My keyboard is actually dusty. *tsk*

January 3rd, 2008

A Measure of Grace - fanfiction

1/3/08 12:05 pm

Surprise! And Happy New Year! The muse popped up and kept me busy over the last part of the holidays, and my wonderful speedy betas were wonderfully speedy, so, we has us a new story. This little stand-alone takes place during the Quest. It actually takes place right after the last Yuledays tale, Wondrous Indeed, but you don’t need to read that one before reading this one. I hope you enjoy!

Namarie!
Larrk

Pippin struggles with some post-Yuledays feelings.

( A Measure of Grace )

December 22nd, 2007

Happy Yuledays to All!

12/22/07 09:10 am

Season's Greetings everyone! For the past three years at Christmas the muse has popped out a little Yuleday's tale. Alas, this year it’s being very quiet. But I haven’t yet abandoned all hope. One year the muse showed up with an entire story on the morning of the 23rd. Thank goodness I had finished all my holiday preparations and could sit down and write the whole tale in one day – fairly unheard of for me, but heaven forbid I should put Christmas before the muse's bidding.

So, I continue to remain hopeful. But, in the event that the muse truly has taken the holidays off and a story doesn’t show up, I’d like to wish a Merry Christmas to all my precious readers. You give me gifts of the heart when you respond to my stories, letting me know that my efforts are appreciated. There’s a quote I want to share with you. It’s from Nikki Giovanni, a poet, essayist, author, activist:

“The poet can only write the poems; it takes the reader to complete the meaning.”

Many thanks and Happy Yuledays to all of you who complete the meaning for me and for all the beloved Middle Earth guys in my stories.

Larrk

December 1st, 2007

The Troll Incident - part three - fanfiction (1/2)

12/1/07 10:21 pm

Aragorn’s had this coming for a long time, hasn’t he? :D It took more time to write part three because at 40 pages it’s twice as long as part one (19 pages) and almost twice as long as part two (24 pages.) Had I known it was going to be so lengthy I might’ve broken it into four parts, but Le muse just kept rambling on, so, well, what could I do? I hope it's worth the wait and that you enjoy!

-L
PS: Live Journal doesn't allow me to upload such a large file into one post. I needed to break it into two parts. So don't forget to hit the "onward to part two" link at the end of this part. It will take you to the rest of the story.

A story from Aragorn’s past, wherein he and Devon, in their early Ranger days, get into a little troll trouble and invite certain doom.

part one is here.
part two is here.

( The Troll Incident - part three (1/2) )