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Shire: Beginnings  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
InklingReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/1/2005
Kids now in bed so back to your story (am already thinking my kids would like this story)…This gave me quite a chuckle: “pulling them as smooth as boys who must make their beds before breakfast are wont to do.” Oh, do I know what that’s like…sometimes I think my boys’ beds look better BEFORE they make them!
You turn a nice phrase, Lin…I especially liked this one: “it was no fur off his feet!”
And “gobble-uns” was very clever as a logical corruption of goblins. Also liked how you worked in the old superstitions about the “little people” souring milk and blighting crops.
I’m really enjoying how the tale is unfolding so far…the Thorn family is delightful, and it’s fun to see so many familiar characters pop up. So “young” Elladan is something of a hothead, eh? How old is he in this story? (I’d go check the Tale of Years, but I’m too lazy). There’s a lot of thought behind this story that shows in the well-observed small details, such as the fact that foxes and owls, though small to us, would indeed be threats to a hobbit child.
Despite the whimsical tone of much of this, it’s really rather grim, isn’t it? But then, so were most of the great old fairy tales…


Author Reply: Ah yes, I remember the shock it was to read the old fairy tales, so much different from the modern sanitized versions. Two of the three little pigs were eaten, as I recall...

I don't remember how old Elladan was, but I do seem to recall that this story is set before Elrond's wife was taken by Orcs in the mountains.

Someone else remarked on reading this aloud to their children. Don't know if they read all the way to the end or not! But it was fun to hear the young ones' impressions.

Thanks!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/1/2004
Oh, dear! How sad! But of course necessary to get them moving, I suppose.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/20/2003
So sad that the little families were eaten. I hope help comes soon. I believe that your story will explain so much about why the hobbits were protected so well in the time before Frodo's journey.

Author Reply: That is what I am hoping. Much is due to be explained in an upcoming chapter, hopefully by the New Year or shortly after.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/30/2003
Looks to me like there's every reason to pack up and find a better place to live, and absolutely no reason left to stay. We always stick with what's familiar and comfortable, until it becomes uncomfortable enough that a change is less scary than remaining with the old. Now, the threat of physical violence is very high, and there aren't even any familiar posessions left to tie them to the old hole. I wonder how they will decide where to go - I don't imagine the step from the forest over the mountains to Bree took place all at once. Will Pick's positive experience with the Grey One and the Lady lead them to seek out advice, or will another fortunate chance guide them? I would like to see Gandalf taking an interest in the hobbits.

Author Reply: I think the answer to your question, how they decide where to go, is in the next chapter. It all sounds mystical, but I'm sure the Valar are watching over them... or at least one of the Valar is... which one walked under the eaves of Greenwood in the early days, I forget, but the hobbits never forgot her.

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