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A Healer's Tale  by Lindelea 8 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/20/2005
Oh, the poor Woodruff! She really *doesn’t* know what she’s doing now! It’s a wonderful thing that Bilbo is there! Being three times as old as anyone else does have it’s advantages.

Of course, then you wonder also, “what if *he* had been wrong, and *she* had been right”…

Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/8/2005
I`m glad Bilbo talked to Woodruff, he`s such a wonder that hobbit. And Frodo too, hopefully putting Merry`s mind to rest a bit. He was already worrying himself into a state.

Author Reply: Well, Bilbo has a lot of life experience under his belt, and so he can look at things from the perspective of time and experience. Wouldn't it be nice to be relatively youthful (I mean, none of the aches and pains of later middle age) and still have a long life to look back on?

Don't know if I'm making sense this morning. We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and those always make my brain go to sleep, for some reason. Too much sugar, perhaps.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/6/2005
Ah! A risky business indeed! I remember a M*A*S*H episode where they had problems because the Brits would let lads with belly wounds have tea - only to end up with peritonitis. I hope all goes well with the lad.

And I'm wondering, do Paladin and Eglantine ever find out about Pippin's wandering off?

*sigh*

There's just so many interesting things in this story!!

VWD, m'dear.

Author Reply: You know, it's funny, but that was the very episode I was thinking of when I was pulling this story together.

I wonder, too, just when Paladin and Eglantine will find out... really the odds are working against it at the moment!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/6/2005
Now that was really insightful.
Of course a young healer cannot know everything about injuries.
Woodruff only knows, that what she did the first time, she was confronted with internal injuries, was wrong. And now she's terribly afraid of making a mistake again. But she's the healer and everyone waits for her next step.
What she really needs is someone to guide her and to take over a part of the responsibility she bore all alone. And this person is Bilbo!

Good old hobbit. I really hope, he did the right thing with the broth!

Author Reply: I really hope so too...

Considering his injuries, there is a chance that Ferdi might die in horrible pain as Woodruff feared--and Bilbo knew this, and he took the responsibility on himself because he didn't want the healer to have to bear it. In a sense he took the decision out of her hands. Was that right, or was it wrong?

Whew.

SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/5/2005
I've missed this story! It's good to see Woodruff getting some rest, and Bilbo taking charge.

Author Reply: Thanks for the encouragement!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/5/2005
Bless the wily, EXPERIENCED old Hobbit for his foresight. I suspect it will do young Ferdi a world of good! Heh!

Author Reply: heh. could be.
LOL!

I didn't know the new story was more about Ruvemir (I hope I spelt his name right) until I peeked, just now! But I don't have time to read. Drat!

However, it's on my list of "want to read" stories, and perhaps when things quiet down a little in October...

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/5/2005
That Bilbo is being quite deceptive. I think he's right, but I'm not sure I approve of his methods.

I hope Merry soon recovers his self-confidence and positive outlook.

I also hope the family learns the whole truth about Pippin's little adventure, too.

Thanks for the update.

Connie B.

Author Reply: I'm not sure I do, either, but he's used to taking things into his own hands, I think, and it stems from the kindness of his heart, too, and his pity. If Ferdi is to die in agonies because nothing can save the lad, then let it be on Bilbo's conscience and not that of the young healer. And if Ferdi is to have a chance to recover, if his injuries are not mortal, well, then, he's got to eat!

Things are looking up in chapter 47.

Thanks!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 45 on 9/5/2005
Poor Woodruff. I'm glad Bilbo is old enough, wily enough and confident enough to take the decision out of her hands and offer the poor hungry Ferdi some sustenance.

It's one of the downsides of being a healer - you can be wise and wonderful when it comes to burns, yet, when it comes to internal injuries, all you are is more knowledgeable than most of those present.

Everyone seems young to Bilbo, though. (Except Gandalf. Or an elf.) But it is one of those moments that made me realise that Woodruff is the equivalent of a junior doctor in general practice doing a consultant's job.

This is a very cheering part of the story because we are approaching some happy recoveries! And that seems a very good thing to have just now. I'm glad to see you're back to posting.

Author Reply: The weight of being a healer--everyone hopes you can do miracles, but you know within yourself that you can't--even though you've witnessed a few.

You're very right about Woodruff's status. She's been so competent the last few chapters that it's easy to forget she would probably be just out of internship, perhaps in the middle of residency--except that she doesn't have anyone with experience and knowledgeg in authority over her to go to for advice!

Yup. The last four or five chapters of the story will all be trending more and more cheerful.

Don't know if I'm making sense. Break time is over, there's a viola going in the next room and someone is reading a story aloud to me "just for fun". I had better turn off the computer and pay more heed!

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