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Thain  by Lindelea 8 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 11/9/2018
A terrible day for both Bucca and Tokka. Alas!

InklingReviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/16/2005
What a terrific beginning, Lin! Some echoes of “Shire: Beginnings” (nice reference to the Lady), but already so very different from that one in style, structure, complexity... The shifts in time and place are very well done. In fact, everything is well done! The battlefield scene is gripping and intense. Why I am not surprised that the hobbits held their ground, even as the men groveled witless? And what an inspired thought to have Tokka, possibly an ancestor of Merry, shoot an arrow at the Witch King!

My reading of this tale will probably be a bit erratic, as I’m trying to do too many things at once right now, but you can bet I’ll be sticking with it!


Author Reply: Tokka, and Bucca his twin, are definitely ancestors of Merry, Pippin, and Frodo. Too bad for the Witch King that he didn't take better notice of these small, insignificant folk! (But good for the Shirefolk, and the long run.)

Very belated thanks, as I return to the beginning of the tale to check a few details before going on...

Hope this finds you well.

Meldewen IlceReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2004
All right, Lindelea, I have really hoped you'd start this story soon as I want to know how Paladin went from being the loving father he was in say "Pearl" to what he is later like in "Jewels"! I know I came to realize at least part of what happened to him during the course of reading "Pearl" and it was something Pearl said that just made me go "Ah-ha! That's what happened to him!" I think a great deal of his problem was having to take up being Thain instead of remaining at the farm he loved so much!

Anyway, I can't wait for his story and the other story looks great too! Though I shudder at the thought of the dugeons of Angmar - heck with anything to do with the Witch-King of Angmar!

Please DO update soon!

Author Reply: I updated. Always happy to oblige.

Still pondering the angst-sequence we talked about, so don't know if the next "Pippin update" will be delayed while I work it out, or if I'll just flip a coin in the end. Ferdi? not-Ferdi?

You were right about what happened to Paladin. Very astute reading.

Thanks for commenting.

Author Reply: BTW, I know I answered this already, but have some recent updates... Haven't yet got to the "spoiling" of Paladin, but there's more about it in the later chapters of "StarFire" if you hadn't read that one yet.

ConnieReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/16/2004
Oops. I think I just sent you a blank review. Sorry about that.

This looks like it could be an interesting story. I'm curious to see where it's going. Glad to see something new so soon.

Connie.

Author Reply: I'm curious, too. The outline has already been rewritten three times... LOL.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/16/2004
Holy Cow! What a beginning! I squealed when I saw this story.

Author Reply: Hoorah! I must admit I was inspired by two stories, one in a book of LOTR fanfic (can you believe fanfic was published?) from awhile back, about the hobbits who never returned from fighting for the King, and another an excellent story by Citrine, also here on SoA, though the title slips my mind.

I was just going to tell the stories of Bucca and Paladin, but the ending of Bucca's twin just insisted on sneaking in.

Thanks for the comment!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/16/2004
Clever Tokka. Dungeons at Angmar - not a place you want to visit.

Author Reply: Definitively. I imagine the gift shop there doesn't sell too many tee-shirts.

Thanks for commenting.

BeruthielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/16/2004
How long is this story going to be? I must admit I'm a bit obsessed with Pippin and Paladin. I want you to hurry up and get to them! (Obnoxious of me, I know, but I can't help it in this case.)

Will you be dealing with Paladin's personality change in this one?

Author Reply: In short (I shouldn't even be online right now):

Don't know how long the story will be, but it looks to be one of the long ones. I understand your concern, Bucca's story could go on awhile.

However, his chapters will alternate with Paladin chapters. So you'll see Pippin and Paladin (and Ferdi!) starting with chapter 2...

And yes, you will see Paladin changing, sad to say. Hopefully the readers will agree with the Muse that he had his reasons.

Does that help?

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/16/2004
So this is to be Paladin's story, as well as Bucca'a? A sort of sequel to Shire? That part sounds interesting, but I am very intrigued to hear Paladin's tale. There's been a hint of troubles to come in Pearl, and lots about him in his latter days, but I want to see how he moves from one to the other. Paladin in the Young Steward days is bitter and cynical and grasping and cold. Even if you can show me his meanness is a mask for pain, I think it is going to be much harder to get sympathy generated for Paladin in the midst of his story than it was for the poor insane ruffian in the last one. But I'm looking forward to seeing it anyway.
FF

Author Reply: I thought it would be interesting to alternate the story of the first Thain with Paladin's story, seeing as how he was not in line to be Thain originally.

Perhaps, if the Muse could get the reader to feel pity for the mad ruffian (once he was safely dealt with), she might be able to do the same for Paladin. I certainly hope so.

Pippin fans might get a bit upset, tho. We'll see. Serious character growth is apparent in the outline as it stands... and if all goes well you'll finally see the story of Ferdi and Pippin (nearly) burning down the old Thain's stables...

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