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At the End of His Rope  by Lindelea 10 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 96 on 8/8/2008
It holds up very well to a third re-reading as well. I started looking at it last night, when I wanted to rec it at lotr_fic_recs (they are doing Pippin fics for the next couple of weeks) and I just couldn't stop.

I love Pippin in this--even though it's one of your earlier stories, his characterization is so sound and solid. And I love the way that the absent Frodo is so very *present* in it, as well.

Just saying, you know.

Author Reply: Aw, lovely! Thanks so much for the note of encouragement, and the rec! (Such an honour!)

Somehow Pippin sprang forth, fully formed, and so did Ferdi, in this. I'm not sure just where they'd been (though there was a foundation for Pippin's character in the Young Steward tales, Jewels among them), but the two of them continued pretty much as they started here, and Regi too, if I remember right. Isn't it interesting how the subconscious works?

Ah, yes, hard to leave Frodo out... I'm sure he "stayed" in the Shire in a sense, in the memories of those who loved him. It was fun, too, to wonder if Merry's dream was perhaps not just a dream, but two dreaming together and meeting in some otherness.

Funny, that this story started as a one-chapter joke, and then expanded to no more than five chapters, and then kept growing and growing like a weed gone mad. I'm glad it found its way to a satisfying ending, even if it did take a long and sometimes meandering path to get there.

Thanks again.


TariReviewed Chapter: 96 on 7/11/2007
I can't believe I've finished reading. What a truly awesom tale. I'm going to read A Healer's Tale next. The way I'm going, I might not read anything else for a very long time. Your stories are too wonderful to miss.

Is there a story about Jack and Wil after they recovered from their injuries?

Tari

Author Reply: Ah, bless you for your encouragement. It makes the Muse smile, and helps the new writing flow a little easier. (Don't know how I managed to write a chapter or three a day for so long... I'm lucky to have one new chapter a week, these days. All the rest being posted are beta-edited chapters.)

Well, a sort of sequel to Just Desserts would be found in Dreamflower's Bunny. Jack and his "boys" make their appearance in the parts of the story that act as frames for the main tale. It takes place not long after Just Desserts ends.

And I certainly hope you enjoy Healer's Tale. It was one that I very much enjoyed writing, and was sorry to end.

Thanks much for your taking the time to share your thoughts.

Nienor NinielReviewed Chapter: 96 on 9/25/2006
You want to make me cry, don't you?

But I forgive you... just barely!

Honestly, I suppose I should start listing all things about this that I enjoyed, but it would be a very long list.

Of course, Pippin's healing! He really waited long enough. Then I loved all the interaction of Hobbits with people from outside the Shire. Bergil, of course. And Sam getting the recognition that comes to him and the Shire people learning more about what happened.

What else can I say? Thanks a lot!

Nienor

Author Reply: Nienor, somehow I missed this review! Don't want to appear ungrateful. I appreciate your hitting the high points, and you are most welcome.

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 96 on 9/2/2006
Came here on your rec and loved it. Second only to Sam h/c I love scenes in which he is honored and recognized for his deeds and selflessness. The entire story pulled me in and I felt as though I was among all of the folk as I read. You wrapped it all up quite satisfactorily. Very moving in many parts. Thank you!

Author Reply: Thank you for your review. I'm sorry that I am so late in answering. I don't remember seeing this before. Appreciate your taking time to leave a good word.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 96 on 5/28/2005
Yes, the world of Men also needs educating.

Author Reply: *hugs* Can't sleep and so am answering old reviews that don't seem to have replies. Hope this finds you well!

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 96 on 2/5/2005
Well I finished this story again. I must say I found it just as enchanting as I did the first time though. Only this time I didn't have to wait for updates ;)

There are so many thing incorporated! Everytime one piece comes to an end I'm surprised there's more, although I must say it is always a pleasant surprise ;) I had forgot how much was part of the one story! Pippin's illness, Merry's trouble, the drought, the fever, and I'm sure I missed something! I love that there was a chance for those closest to the hobbits to be able to enter the Shire for a little while. And especially glad that Bergil was allowed to continue to enter!

I find Legolas to be a lot of fun. Being a long lost relation and all. Helping to name Merry's daughter as well. Gimli playing Father Yule in Buckland was perfect! The hobbits learning about the New Year in Gondor as well, and Ferdi's consternation at realizing what he hadn't before.

There is so much and reading it again I found that certain things I noticed more and found to be more touching. More than once you had me in tears, perhaps my favorite was Sam and Pippin speaking about Frodo, and Pippin admitting to forgetting him.

Anyway, I just thought I would let you know I read it again, and I couldn't resist commenting once more. Perhaps I should have commented every chapter as I'm sure I didn't say something I meant to! Thank you for such wonderful expansion of Tolkien's creation!

Author Reply: Though you wrote this quite awhile ago, for some reason there's no reply appearing. Don't know if I wrote one back then and it got lost in a database reload, or if I didn't write one. Just wanted to say, again, thanks for taking time to share your thoughts.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 96 on 2/1/2005
Such a satisfying ending to such a lovely long tale, that held up very well to a second read.
Beautiful. Just beautiful.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 96 on 3/2/2004
I bawled my eyes out the first time I read this story, and wouldn't you know that even when I knew what was going to happen, I still ended up crying with Sam when he read the King's contract, and at the Epilogue. It's very moving writing - thank you so much for sharing your talents with us all.

Author Reply: *hugs* Up late, unable to sleep, and so whiling away the time reading old chapters and answering old reviews.

Thank you so much for all the food for thought you've provided all along.

MirielReviewed Chapter: 96 on 9/11/2003
Finished! Yay! I loved it, especially the way you managed to bring all of the characters (men, elves, dwarves) together.

Frodo paid the debt...needless to say I cried when I read that.

Lovely, truly lovely. And I like the story's title. It fits.

I look forward to seeing your other works!

Miriel


SueReviewed Chapter: 96 on 8/18/2003
I have just finished reading the whole story and just loved it. I am slowly making my way through all your stories and enjoying them so much.

Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing, Sue. I am glad you are enjoying the stories, and hope to keep uploading new ones as long as they will keep writing themselves. I appreciate the encouragment!

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