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The Road to Edoras  by Dreamflower 10 Review(s)
PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 9/27/2005
Absolutely wonderful! Freddy is having to overcome some very real fears with water. He's doing fine. These are things all great leaders go through.

Poor, miserable Bergil! I hate the thought of this sweet lad going through hades with and illness, and top of that, broken ribs. I did like that you wrote him grinning at having "matched" Pippin with broken ribs. That was a nice touch.

Oh, and I thought the lads in Buckland swimming in "naught but their skin" was cute. Yep, it was a whole different era "back then". Most lads could do that and not think anything of it.

Pippinfan

Author Reply: Yes, I didn't want Freddy to overcome his fear of running water just from one little dunk; that's not very realistic.

I figured if *anything* could make the pain more bearable, it would be the thought of being like his hero.

It was a different time. I like that I can have young hobbits doing all those innocent fun things that children used to be able to do with no harm done, but nowadays would be looked at with horror.

Anso the HobbitReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/27/2005
Everyone is so fond of Bergil and now he`s worse! Poor lad!

I like how you described the swimming lessons and Berilac`s thoughtfullness to let the hobbits learn to swim fully clad and not in their smallclothes as I suppose the hobbits usually do (they wouldn`t have bathing clothes as we do) and also Mistress Poppy`s wisdom in having Legolas teach the ladies. I`m sure Berilac would like to see Viola in her wet smallclothes, lol! :D

Author Reply: Yes, poor lad. But he will get a lot of good TLC to make up for it!

Well, not exactly. Berilac is letting them swim in their smallclothes, and not in the altogether, or "skinny dipping", as we call it. I would imagine that is the norm in Buckland for lads swimming together, but he knows that hobbits from other parts of the Shire would be too proper to do that.

And I expect that lasses generally swim in their shifts. I don't expect there were any such things as bathing suits, and I would guess that even among the less restrained Bucklanders, mixed swimming would not be encouraged.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/26/2005
Once again, I have to let you know how very much I love your Fredegar. This was such a sweet chapter with him. I loved he's efforts to be brave with the swimming lessons. He is becoming a very good leader in spite of not being a Brandybuck. LOL Berilac may have Merry's sense of order and leadership but Freddy has the heart. I also liked his concern for Bergil. Can't wait for Legolas to begin giving his swimming lessons. Looking forward to more of this!

Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/24/2005
Won't the other hobbits from the shire be surprised when the embassy hobbits can all swim; especially Freddy.

<>< Saved from sin through Christ,
mj

Author Reply: I'm sure they will. I will have to think up a scene after their return, where Merry goes swimming and Freddy joins him, LOL! Can you imagine the shock?

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/24/2005
Glad to see the care given Bergil, and love the swimming lessons and the reasoning Poppy shows.

Author Reply: Thanks. Bergil needs some TLC.
I'm having fun figuring out the swimming lessons.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/24/2005
Poor Bergil. When you're feeling rough, all you really want is the comfort of home and family. But at least the thought of comparing injuries with Pippin made him smile.

I can see Jolly coping quite well with aquatics. Practical. Doesn't overwhelm himself with imagination. Freddy, on the other hand. . .

Made me laugh when Poppy decided that lessons from an elf were morally preferable to having wet Viola and wet Beri in the same pond. (Perhaps Legolas should educate her on the elves' attitude to immersion in water.) Beri'll be disappointed, too.

The prisoners aren't enjoying the swimming? Shame!

I hope Bergil starts feeling better soon. And that his health doesn't suffer any further. Not, at least, if there aren't some healing hands handy.

Author Reply: Yes, poor child, he's definitely feeling very young right now, and not so much like someone in service to the King. And yes, Adrahil knew he would like thinking of having something in common with Pippin.

Bingo! I have a feeling Jolly is going to take to this quite well. Imagine the shock when he comes home to the Cottons, and perhaps goes swimming in the pond some hot day... Yes, Freddy's nerves come from too easily imagining what it must feel like to drown...

For some reason, Poppy has decided that Legolas is the senior member of the expedition (and going by age, I'd guess she's right) and so there would be nothing wrong in having him teach the females. She definitely feels it would be too much temptation for the young courting couple. I would guess that Beri is going to be disappointed, but probably not too surprised, by her decision.

Yes, it is shame, isn't it? *grin*

Bergil will recover. But not before one more important thing happens...

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/24/2005
Oh poor Bergil - I suspect that things are going to be worse before they get better. I love the chaperoning of the blossoming relationship!

Author Reply: You suspect right.

Well, Poppy is going to take very good care of her apprentice, even if she *does* approve of Berilac.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/24/2005
Poor little Bergil! Please don't let him suffer so much. Turn for the worse - I don't want so see this! Not my sweet lad! *pouts*
And I am quite sure Poppy will make sure to ask Aragorn and his healers a lot about the right doses for men at every age! She will not risk to be unsure of the right amount of medicine another time.
Oh, and it was so nice how Adrahil comforted Bergil. The idea to relate his injury to these of Pippin was very good! I think it will make it a bit easier for him.

As for the swimming lessons - it is clearly not easy particularly for Freddy with his massive fear of water. Poor guy. Maybe Legolas should take over, he can probably ease his fears to a certain amount. And it was *very* funny how Poppy asked Legolas to teach her and Viola out of fear the temptation would be too much for Beri and Viola. Legolas is right, that reminds me of Sam. Always being proper :-D

Author Reply: Well, just keep in mind that he will get plenty of TLC and comfort to make up for being hurt and sick! He is a sweet lad, isn't he?

Oh, Poppy is going to really pick Aragorn's brains, trust me! I have a feeling that Pippin will have nothing on her when it comes to asking questions--and she'll persist until she gets all the answers she wants!

I didn't want this to be too easy for Freddy. His fears are real ones, and not something he will get over quickly, just because he fell in once and didn't drown. But he is going to persist as well. He's got enough Took in him to be really stubborn, once he's made his mind up.

Of the four hobbits who went on the Quest, Sam was, by far, the most hobbity. He had no Took or Brandybuck in him, and he was raised in Hobbiton and taught about "proper" from the time he was born. So his attitudes to most things would have been the attitudes of the average hobbit. And Poppy, though unconventional in some ways due to being a healer, is in very many ways an average hobbit as well. And she is going to take her responsibility towards Viola very seriously.

Hai TookReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/23/2005
Hello! I was finally able to sit down and finish reading this! I had read a couple of chapters when I could grab a moment but now I can write a proper review! There is so much I want to say so here goes...

I still love the way you incorporate stories into of other times into the stories, esecially when Legolas and Gimli are doing the story telling. Like talking about Pippin singing in the rain and Merry telling him the water wasn't hot. Pippin convinced that if he didn't know it wasn't cold it wouldn't be!

I loved all the letters you had the hobbits writing back home. Freddy's talking to Paladin as Thain and then his more personal one to his uncle. I also liked that more than one letter mentioned Viola and Berilac, the whole Shire will know that they are interested in each other before they even return. I also liked the way you had hobbits from different back ground write their letters in different styles, very well done! Also how they all refer to the Men as "our Men" is great! Puts a little more trust in the hobbits.

Something I want to mention because it made me laugh was while they were staying stopped (I would say where but know I can't remember how to spell it) Gimli asks Legolas if he will share an ale with him before he goes out to "hug his trees for the night"!

Poor Eomer getting the letter from his cousin about having to judge hobbits. Not a pleasant task I'm sure and I hope that he is able to come up with some just punishment, I have the utmost confidence in him and you ;)

Viola and Berilac had a bit of a fright there with the lady in the outpost who thought that they were children, of course if they really had been children at least her heart would have been in the right place! I also liked Viola talking about how Pippin tried to keep his niece from getting into trouble and how he was more upset that they found him out then that they believed for a while it was really him, cute story!

I was so very proud of Freddy for crossing the bridge! He conquered a bit of his fear very nicely! I'm also glad that Merry asked Berilac to keep an eye on Freddy.

Jolly talking to Mosco about Freddy's rebellion and how they intercepted the wagons of weed and were able to put Lotho in a temper, very interesting to see Freddy in the role of Captain although it sounds like he was a bit bitter and melancholy, with good reason of course, but he still did a good job!

I loved hearing about Eothains relationship with Eowyn. It was fun to see what Eowyn was like as a young girl. She obviously got along well with this cousin at least. She has a good brother as well who doesn't want them to get caught!

Poor Bergil! Fallin in the water like that! I was even more proud of Freddy, even if he could have got himself into trouble as well. I'm glad they were rescued obviously but it is very sad about Bergil. It is nice to see though how everyone is in love with him and doesn't want him to be hurt or in pain at all. Adrahil sitting with him and telling that he will at least have something in common with Pippin was cute and did a nice job of lifting Bergil's spirits, poor boy!

It made me laugh that Legolas would want to hang back and hear what announcement Freddy was making! Certainly none of the hobbits were very pleased about learning to swim but I'm sure the prisoners were least likely to like it. I hope we get to see their lessons! Poppy is very astute in her thinking and making sure nothing can be complained about, in how she handles everything. Freddy did a good job of being an example and taking the swim lessons with grace, even if he is a bit frustrated with his lack of progress.

I also felt bad for Legolas when he was set upon with sea longing so suddenly. Something none there can understand. Gimli probably does they best I liked how he just sat and waited knowing "his Elf" would come down. One of the best relationships is theirs of such deep friendship, well portrayed!

I know this is very long and hope I didn't repeat too much as I know the chapters that I covered have already been reviewed! You do such a wonderful job writing all these characters. To tell you the truth I usually don't read very many stories that don't have the main four as main characters but I absolutely love this! It is great to see how hobbits might experience a much less dangerous adventure away from the Shire. I'm looking forward to reading more! Thank you!





Author Reply: Hullo, Hai! It's so good to hear from you again. I always look forward to your reviews! You often pick up on things other reviewers miss, and you have so much enthusiasm!

I myself was not sure how many people would want to follow a story that was not mostly about the Travellers, but I got so many requests that I decided to go for it. And the truth is, they keep getting in this one anyway, with all the flashbacks and people discussing them, LOL!

I'm glad you are enjoying this, and look forward to more of your reactions.

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/23/2005
Oh, poor Bergil! It was wise of Adrahil to compare Bergil's injury to Pippin's. At least it distracted Bergil for a little bit. I hope he gets better, what a horrible way to end a chapter!

Poor Freddy too. He reminds me of a cat when it's plopped into water, lol.

And I miss Sam! We need a Sam flashback, maybe Jolly could recall something, maybe about his own fears of swimming. *bats eyes*

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