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A Tale That Grew in the Telling  by GamgeeFest 6 Review(s)
Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 26 on 11/1/2004
The dream sequence was amazing. I had to laugh at Sam building the little piles of samd for Frodo so that he would have them. So like Sam. I also thought that you wrote Berwin's delimma well. I liked the way your healer stepped in and made her orders know but was very glad that Frodo never had to know that she had forbidden his travel plans. I enjoyed his letter very much also.

Author Reply: Hazel didn't forbid so much as delay for an inconveniently long amount of time. :) She's a tricky woman, that healer. She knew Berwin couldn't stay that long, and even if he had attempted, that would only have given her more time to counsel Frodo and the result would have been the same in the end.

That is just like Sam, isn't it? He'll always do whatever he can for Frodo. I'm glad you found the way I wrote Berwin's delimma effective. It was one of the last things I ironed out and wasn't all that sure about it even then.

After all this angst and drama, the story needed a bit of lightness. Frodo's letter was fun to write. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 26 on 10/21/2004
Frodo's come to a perfectly logical and acceptable reason for needing to go home, but there's so much more there under the surface. I love the dreams. I love Sam doing for Mr. Frodo, whatever he needs, whether Sam understands it or not, and then walking off into the river to be with him. It is a perfect image of his frame of mind as well as a foreshadowing. Merry lost and despairing, and Pippin knowing he can not take Frodo's place: heartbreaking, as is Frodo's longing for his missing Uncle. This is just a fascinating story (and the mini fic at the end made me giggle.)
FF

Author Reply: There is quite a lot lurking under the surface in his dreams. I'm glad you enjoy them. They're fun to write because you don't have to restrict yourself to being logical, yet at the same time, they also allow you to be ultra-logical in a way. You can explain things the characters wouldn't necessarily understand or come to realize otherwise.

That's a wonderful parellel about Sam and the river. I honestly did not have that in mind while writing it, not consciously anyway, but I love your interpretation there.

I'm glad you're enjoy the story, as well as the mini fic. I try to get those little moments of lightness in where I can to lend some relief from all the angst. Thanks for reading!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 26 on 10/21/2004
Thank goodness for Hazel. Someone with some sense! She made it impossible for Berwin to cart Frodo off to Rivendell and inevitable that he would return home. And Frodo regained his common-sense, too, and realises that he has to go home and set everyone's mind at rest.

I like Berwin and Hazel and I think the chapters with them and Frodo are my favourites. (Maybe they cry out for a reunion in a future story?)

Author Reply: In her line of work, I'm sure Hazel's seen all kinds of reactions from patients and their family and friends. She's good at figuring people out and knowing what they need, even if they don't.

Frodo does know he needs to return home, but he's not necessarily happy about it. He and Hazel are going to have a nice long chat next chapter that should help Frodo figure some things out.

I am trying to think of a way to bring Berwin back for a later story. I'll see what I can do about Hazel. I'm glad you enjoy my OCs so much. Thanks for reading!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 26 on 10/20/2004
*YESSS!!!* Finally Frodo's showing some sense. He's gotten far enough away from the Ring now that his thinking is less muddled. But he's going to have a *lot* of apologies to make when he gets back. And now we know why Merry Pippin and Sam won't let him out of their sight in a few years.

I *am* sorry to see the end of Berwin. He's such a nice sweet character, I'd love to see more of him in the future (*hint*hint*)

I have to say I like your healer, too. Such a practical and down to earth one!


Author Reply: The temptation to see Bilbo got the better of him for awhile there. He still wishes he could have gone, but he'll be having a nice, long chat with Hazel next chapter. I'm determined to get some healing out of this for him.

There's going to be a lot of things to clear up once Frodo returns, on all sides. In a few years? Try as soon as he gets back! They'll be glued to his side, he won't be able to get a minute's peace.

I'm sorry to see Berwin go as well. I got really attached to him. I've been thinking of ways to make him a real character so that I might bring him back in a later story, and I have a couple of ideas that might work. We'll see.

Hazel - well, *someone* has to be practical and down to earth here or this story would never end! lol.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 26 on 10/20/2004
You're tying these stories (Sam, Buckland, Frodo) together beautifully. I'm so happy we're back to Frodo, and that he and Berwin have parted in friendship. Lovely chapter!

Author Reply: The storylines are finally merging as we get near the end of this thing. Expect reunions ahead, but there is still one more plot twist lurking out there, so be prepared.

Frodo and Berwin could not have parted any other way. I am sad to see Berwin go though. I got rather attached him.

pebbles66Reviewed Chapter: 26 on 10/20/2004
Yay! Frodo's going back to the Shire. I was afraid he'd go off to Rivendell and poor Sam would die of grief. Can't wait for more!

Author Reply: Frodo always knew he would have to go home, but he let his temptation cloud his mind for awhile. And clearly, Sam can't die. He's the one telling the story, lol. Thanks for reading!

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