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As the Gentle Rain  by Lindelea 7 Review(s)
Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 19 on 6/9/2004
Oh wow! I`ve read all first 19 chapters in one go and this is just an amazing story! Poor hobbits! Bad ruffian! And thanks to Strider who knows his hobbits and his athelas and healing methods. I had my heart in my throat there for a moment when they did surgery on Pip, and tears in my eyes when they sang to bid him farewell. I hope Ferdi is all right by the end of this. You always manage to get a little humor into the story, like Eomer grunting while carrying Merry. How heavy can a little hobbit be to a tall man? Off to read more now...

HaiReviewed Chapter: 19 on 4/26/2004
That was so.....happy and perfect! I love the way you wrote that bit with healing and that Pimpernel hugged Aragorn! That Merry came out of the Shadow that was trying to claim him again! I'm glad Ferdi is well again also, I hope he is able to get over this experience! Pippin knowing his daughter again was splendid! thank you and hoping for more soon!

Author Reply: Thanks, Hai. I appreciate your faithfulness in reviewing. Reviews are an encouragement, and often supply food for thought while fleshing out the next chapter on the outline.

As you probably already know, another chapter has been posted. The next one after that is due to go up on Monday if I get any writing time over the weekend.

Oh, and you're welcome!

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 19 on 4/26/2004
I find myself taking a big breath along with the hobbits. It smells like an apple orchard to me! Literally, this chapter is a breath of refreshment and ease after all the terrible things that have happened. THe hands of the king are the hands of a healer, indeed. It was good to see Nell take the first step toward trust - I'm sure it helped with her healing. And I'm glad to see that Ferdi has come back to himself too. He's been hurt so many times, so badly. I bet after this the Rohirrim will add athelas to their gardens of healing herbs.

Author Reply: Mmmm, an apple orchard in spring, lovely. Just close your eyes and inhale and feel the petals cascading softly on your face when the breeze gives a puff.

It was good to get everyone back in their right minds, to lift the lingering darkness from their spirits. Whatever would we do without athelas? I wonder, however, if it tolerates cultivation or if it is one of those plants that can only be found in sheltered, secluded spots growing wild?

The next chapter, at least, will continue the respite, and perhaps the one after (but perhaps not). Enjoy the next chapter, at least. And remember that as always, I am working towards a good ending.

Thanks for reviewing.

Amy EarlsReviewed Chapter: 19 on 4/26/2004
Marvelous chapter. That must have been a bed and a half! I loved the group healing and how Aragorn moves around the hobbits, so gentle. This scene is so like Tolkien to me, very simple but moving. The fact that Aragorn and Arwen don't say a word, it's all in who/what they are that works the healing, makes the hobbits' sparse dialogue even more meaningful. Lovely! Thank you.

Amy

Author Reply: Thank you, Amy, I appreciate your taking time to review.

I figure that a bed made for Big Folk would be like a bed-and-a-half (two beds?) to hobbits. Probably would hold a whole family or more. I think Eomer ordered the legs sawed off all the guests' beds, though, to make it easier for hobbits to climb on and off.

Thank you for the high compliment--"like Tolkien". I cannot think of anything better.

ConnieReviewed Chapter: 19 on 4/26/2004
Oh what a sweet chapter. So refreshing after all the angst. I am so relieved to see all the hobbits recovering.

Why do I have this feeling that they're going to run into that ruffian again. This time, though, I bet they're better prepared(sp) to deal with him.

One little thing. I shouldn't say it, being the world's second worst speller and all, but you left out an "h" in laughed in the paragragh where Nell hugs Aragorn. It just jumped out at me, so I figured I'd let you know. You usually have so few errors of any kind in your writing that I noticed this tiny one.

Thanks again.

Connie.

Author Reply: Thank you, and of course you should say it! My editor is still under the weather and may not be checking this chapter for a few days. I've made a few "tweaks" on reading it again, but I missed that "laugter" so I'm glad you spoke up.

It is nice to have some refreshment. The story's only half over, so there is more angst on the horizon, but not quite as horrendous as we've seen, I hope. Since it exists in outline form, not yet written, I can't quite promise. But I'm thinking that the point has been made, and everyone now knows just how mad and dangerous the old ruffian is. No need for gratuitous torment.

Thanks for reviewing and helping with the error checking!

poppymuddyfootReviewed Chapter: 19 on 4/26/2004
I'm not sure where to begin. I've been computer-less for a while so I just discovered this story. I read 19 chapters in one sitting. I then went back to the SOA homepage and discovered that another chapter had been posted while I was reading. The fact that I was thrilled about a new chapter even after having just read 19 of them ought to tell you how much I'm enjoying this story. The characterizations are so real, so true to how I see the hobbits, I almost feel like I've come home to visit them. It is so wonderful to read a story that includes all their families and their culture, especially juxtapositioned with the culture of Men. I am eagerly anticipating the next chapter. (You really want to know how much I'm enjoying this? I even forgive you for what you did to Pippin!)

Author Reply: Poor thing, I know what it is to limp along with a barely-functioning computer and also to have to do without completely whilst the thing was in the shop. Amazing that we ever got anything done at all before the era of computers.

I'm very glad to hear you're enjoying the story and that the characterizations of the hobbits ring true. Whew. Certainly relieved to be forgiven. (Why is it fun to put our friends and loved ones into predicaments and then write them out again?)

Thanks for reviewing. Stop by anytime. The Muse seems to thrive on comments and virtual pina coladas (chocolate is also helpful).

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 19 on 4/26/2004
I would have thought the whole of Middle Earth would have cottoned on to athelas by now! Aragorn should take Eomer to task for not having piles of it in his store rooms.

Glad the hobbits are getting better and Pippin has his sense of humour back.

Author Reply: Well, I kind of got the impression that athelas was good for headaches, but only in the hands of the true king does it work miracles. So unless people are planning on having Aragorn stop by, there wouldn't be much point in keeping lots of the stuff around. Besides, usually when he needs some I've had him carrying it with him in a little pouch hanging from his neck... even though he didn't in the original. (Wonder why? Does it lose its potency after awhile?)

Thanks for reviewing.

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