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Healing the Long Cleeve  by TopazTook 2 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 22 on 8/5/2005
It's hard when jealousy and frustration seek to damage what is there.

Author Reply: Mmm-hmm. Jealousy and frustration. Two pretty ugly emotions. (Unfortunately, a part of all of our make-ups nonetheless.)

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 22 on 3/14/2005
Dear me, Ganelon has definitely roped Pervinca in. Well, we knew that was coming. I am both curious about and yet dreading whatever plot they have dreamed up. I'm sure that Pip and Diamond will overcome it, though.

I loved all the bits of byplay at the beginning of the chapter: Pippin's reluctance to leave his wife, Paladin insisting on the ale, Bert keeping track of things...
And then the part with Sam, Merry and Pippin. I loved Sam's ruminations on his Gaffer, and the explanations of the name--because of Boromir, of course. It's a shame that Sam was off in his calculations about Saradoc, and that Paladin's health is declining even more.
What was the bit about Aster? Is that because Everard is her father?


Author Reply: Yes, Ganelon’s ensnaring Pervinca in her own pride, and I hope what they’re plotting (see Chap. 23) iis interesting. So you’re “sure that Pip and Diamond will overcome it,” though. If I wanted to maintain that tension, perhaps I oughtn’t to have stated so often that I have promised a happy ending, LOL.

I’m glad that you enjoyed the byplay at the beginning of the chapter. Pippin did want to stay with Diamond, but I don’t think the Shire is quite ready for fathers in the delivery room. It actually was Bert’s job to stand there and be ready to go fetch Pippin if things went wrong -- and when they went right.

Sam’s loved ones -- the Gaffer, Mr. Frodo -- even though they are gone, are never far from his mind, and I’m glad you liked that little foray into his thoughts. As for his calculations about Saradoc and Paladin...I wonder if anyone else remembers that episode of “ThirtySomething” when most of the gang was gathered in Nancy’s hospital room to await the results of her tests...

The name is partly because of Boromir (that’s the friend of Merry and Pippin that all of them loved and lost before Faramir ascended to his father’s office). It’s also because he knew Frodo, and because he took his father’s place, and because he watched his father wither and change, coming closer and closer to death, before his eyes. Pippin has really come to identify with Faramir (the Man, not the Hobbit).

I’m not sure what bit about Aster you’re questioning. If it’s the part about crawling under the desk, that’s because Paladin is her grandfather, and she’s comfortable enough to play around under the Thain’s desk. If it’s the part about Pervinca’s kids scowling at her: that’s because theyre Pervinca’s kids, and they’re both jealous and disapproving.

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