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A New Reckoning  by Dreamflower 9 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 38 on 9/28/2006
Ah, the song of praise, sung once more for Frodo Baggins, who deserves more honor than he realizes. And they caught the little sneak! Bread and water rations for a meal--what a punishment for a HOBBIT!

Author Reply: Yes, he certainly does. And while he'll not quite appreciate being the cynosure of all eyes, he will, at least appreciate the effect as far as accomplishing Aragorn's goals. And of course, it helps that the song praises Sam as well.

*grin* *I* thought so. She's really got herself into a bind now. This whole incident was a bit of her Tookishness coming out--she acts on an impulsive spur of the moment, and then is left to regret it later.

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 38 on 7/26/2005
Wow...Eglantine and Paladin don't mince words. I can just see Hyacinth wreaking disaster at the ball... Now I think I understand why Opal didn't Marry Clovis--or did I say Cado? :-P

Pippinfan

PervincaReviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/11/2004
My goodness! I can't believe how many little dramas you've managed to work into this story. It's so wonderful. I knew one of Hyancith's daughters was bound to do something awful to Rosie or Marigold. I hope Reggie won't be too upset by his daughter's actions.

I'm really loving this story. It's incredible how well you have written this!

- Pervinca

Author Reply: Oh wow! (Blushes) I really love your stuff too, so this is a great compliment.

I do have a lot of different little things going. I'm hoping to wrap up a couple of them soon.

I'm glad you are enjoying the story, since I have so much fun writing it.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/11/2004
How can Eglantine have such a vile brother? And his sons! And Reginard does not deserve Hyacinth and the obnoxious offspring - though maybe he could have had a bit more input into their development! I know Eglantine will make Opal suffer - GOOD. Nasty snobby little hobbit lass.

I like the ballroom. I feel for Frodo - he won't like the evening at all, but he will do it for love of his friends. Good story. (I like the Gandalf one, too, but I don't think I've got round to saying so yet.)

Author Reply: Sometimes nice people have really rotten relatives. Bilbo and Frodo were stuck with the S.-B.s, and Tina is stuck with Clodio. Explanations on Hyacinth and Reggie forthcoming in next chapter. And Opal is going to suffer, but not the way anyone expects.

I'm glad you like the ballroom. I put a lot of time into working that out.

Frodo is not going to especially *like* the evening, but he may not hate it as much as he thinks he's going to.

Glad you're also enjoying "A Place for Gandalf". It's quite a change from this one, and not nearly so long (I hope).
Thanks for the review!

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/11/2004
I think maybe I've found the perfect husband for Opal, well, two really. How about either Clovis or Cado Banks? Seems that the three of them have much in common. Marry Opal off and then ship her and the unlucky Banks of her choice to Bree. LOL I love Eglantine more with each chapter.

Author Reply: Well, Opal may have something to do with the nasty Banks brothers before it's over, but it may not be what you think.

I love Eglantine more and more, myself. She has rapidly turned into one of my favorites; I imagine her as sounding somewhat like Dame Judy Dench, and it sort of colors my characterization.

songspinnerReviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/10/2004
I just caught up with this marvelous tale! You have such a delightful grasp of hobbit life here, and it fits Tolkien's world quite well, I think. I also enjoy how there are these little bits, with Bergil or with Legolas and Gimli that are insights into how they are coping with their own troubles. Good dialogue and strong, well expressed emotion, and you obviously have a twisted sense of humor (that matches well with your subject, really!).
Looking forward to the next bit...

-Laura

Author Reply: Thank you so much for the kind words!

It's the little bits that I have the most fun with, even more than plotting, which can get to be a chore when it gets complicated. But I love the characters, and have to show what they're thinking and doing.

Twisted? Well, maybe. I do get a chuckle out of some strange things.
Thank you for the review, and I'm glad you're liking the story.

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/10/2004
I'm glad I'm not Opal. I was scared just reading that! The Thain and Eglantine are certainly not a pair I'd want mad at me. I probably would faint. And even though Opal may deserve to be punished, I still feel sorry for her. To have not only the Thain but also the threat of the King's men punishing her, that poor lass will be beyond distraught come morning. And missing the ball will be a sore note also.

What are Cado and Clovis up to? Can't be good, whatever is. Merry may have to make good on his threat yet.

Did you purposely leave Frodo out of the last few chapters, or did it just work out that way? I'm curious to see how he's dealing with the stress of the upcoming ball. Though Legolas most likely got it right, that he was worrying about it nonstop. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Author Reply: I'm glad I'm not Opal, too--imagine Hyacinth for a mother! The Thain and Eglantine are seriously ticked off, but a lot of her punishment is to have to think about consequences.

No, Cado and Clovis would never be up to anything good.

Partly it has been on purpose. I kind of know what his next big scene is, but I haven't worked out a few of the details yet. Also, he is deliberately isolating himself a little bit, to psych himself up for a job he's not too crazy about but knows he has to do. (Like *that's* never happened to him before.) But it's also partly because I have such a huge cast right now that someone gets left out every time.

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/10/2004
Your description of the ballroom was enchanting! Very detailed, I now have such a lovely vision of what it must look like. It will be even grander once it is full of hobbits, and men! That Bergil remembered the song from Cormallen was great, even the elvish! I'm glad they caught Opal and I hope this teaches her a good lesson although banishment might be a little harsh. I hope Reginard is able to preform his duties adequately! I'm sure he will be fine, although I would fret over the elvish as well! Looking forward to more!

Author Reply: I'm glad you liked my description of the ballroom. It took me a long time to figure out just what it was like, and why the Great Smials had a ballroom if they didn't have balls that much.

Cormallen is probably the highlight of Bergil's young life so far. And the people of Minas Tirith use a lot of Elvish words anyway, so he wouldn't have much trouble with it.

And we're not through with Opal yet.

RogerGamgeeReviewed Chapter: 38 on 6/10/2004
This is possibly the best chapter yet. I can only say that Paladin and Eglantine make a formidable couple, to say the least. Alone or together, they are forces to be reckoned with - as Opal seems to have now found out. Congratulations on a fantastic chapter!

Author Reply: Why thank you very much! I'm glad you like my Paladin and Eglantine--they have grown on me gradually. But I think they have to be pretty formidable to have produced a Pippin, don't you? And of course they *really* don't like having their hospitality abused.

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