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A Healer's Tale  by Lindelea 10 Review(s)
DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/20/2005
Oh!
This brought me to tears, Pippin considering his choices before the Quest. You know my take on how harrowing and difficult that was, and of course, I can see clearly that it is just so in your world as well.

The one thing in the first movie that irked me was making Merry’s and Pippin’s agonizing choice to follow their beloved cousin into danger into nothing more than an accident resulting from ill-considered mischief. I know the reasons, and the time constraints, etc. And it was amusing and well-acted. But it short-shrifted their characters woefully, and left a good deal unexplained. For example, we never do find out that Merry and Pippin or Merry and Frodo are cousins, even in the EEs. Disgracefully sloppy.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/17/2005
Fascinating stuff - Pearl and Frodo, Pippin and his decision whether or not to leave on the quest - and Woodruff at the heart of it.

And Pippin sleeping quietly through all her brooding as he gets his strength back.

I look forward to his waking.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
Such a gentle interlude, though not all the memories were peaceful ones, it is gentle all the same. Wonderful :)

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
This chapter has such a sad feeling to it. No, sad isn't quite the right word: the nostalgia is melancholy, I guess that's the best I can call it. Or maybe bittersweet, that word that so many people use to describe Tolkien's portrayal of what happened to Frodo, and what happened to the Shire; and here, what happened to the life Frodo and Pippin and Woodruff and the rest of the Tooks used to know. There's sweet in the growing of Pippin to maturity, and in the beautiful way he loves his cousin and his advisor, and in the regard that Woodruff hold him in, but bitter in the lost chances and the unfulfilled promise that comes to all those who sacrifice.

Interesting theory Woodruff has about Pearl. I had always thought Frodo and Pearl would have made a good couple, as she was one of the lasses mentioned who was nearest to his age, and I felt they'd often be thrown together at family gatherings. We know there was nothing to Woodruff's speculation, but I guess I'm not the only matchmaker around! I do love the description that you paint of the two of them together - They were so lovely together, him so tall and fair, and she, round and rosy, and the two of them always laughing gaily together, as if they shared a delightful secret as they walked through the marketplace... Different in many ways, but not so different ultimately when it came to temperament, I think. Each of them certainly did the best they could with the choices that were forced on them. At least Pearl eventually got her reward, though it was long in coming.

The ending is just beautiful and evokes such powerful feeling: My wayward lad, child of my heart, come into this life as my old life was ending, born into the dawning of joy and promise, and claiming a piece of my heart ever after. Pippin is deserving of all this love and more, but it makes me long to be a Took worthy of Woodruff's gentle care.

Hope you're feeling well today.

Connie B.Reviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
That was one of the best chapters yet.

I loved the way you portrayed Pippin as thoughtful and introspective before the Quest. So many authors overlook that, or just don't see it.

Wonderful.

Thanks.

Connie B.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
Sometimes it is only in the renewal of the Old Tales that the new ones can be written; a hobbit gone to become a knight; a broken sword reforged; a hobbit and woman together doing what a man could not accomplish; the power broken that the Presence again can be felt....

And so Pippin is part of Sweetie's life, and has been a moving force in her life, her one true tie to what was accomplished through Frodo, that one part of Pippin's life she cannot truly share, for that is more than the Shire which Pippin now personifies--that lies in the realm of Pippin's loyalty and duty to the outer world held in the King as the Shire lies in him.

Am I making the least bit of sense?

Love to the little ones.

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
Wonderful! Bilbo did the right thing in giving Ferdi something to eat and I'm glad that it did turn out all right. I know Bilbo wouldn't have let Woodruff take any blame for something he had done but still nicer that things turned out well despite everything else.

Pippin is certainly keeping everyone in a dither over his healing! This Ent draught is certainly worth it but I hope that everyone's cares can be relieved soon! I did love this glimpse at Woodruff's and Pippin's relationship even years later! That was a very sweet moment with the two of them.

I'm looking forward to more and have of course enjoyed this greatly! Thank you!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
Wow! I can't find words to describe how beautiful this chapter was!

Not knowing, what kind of decision Pippin had to make, Woodruff gave exactly the right answer - to follow your heart:

'Then you must listen to your heart, to tip the balance, and choose the course that seems the rightest. The "right" is always the best choice, even if it is not often the easiest or safest.'

Wonderful :)

Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
*dries tears*

That was perfect! So tender and lovely and brilliant! I could really quote all of it because it is marvellous.

My wayward lad, child of my heart, come into this life as my old life was ending, born into the dawning of joy and promise, and claiming a piece of my heart ever after.

Thank you, Lin, for this incredible story!

SlightlyTookishReviewed Chapter: 48 on 9/16/2005
Oh, my. There's just so muich packed into this chapter. I love seeing Woodruff's memories of a happy Frodo, and how Pippin came to her for advice, and how even knowing about the Quest the Shire still has its doubts it. This is your best chapter yet, I just adore it.

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