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The Road to Edoras  by Dreamflower 7 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 35 on 4/21/2007
Ah! Today the ISP is staying stable and I can finally read and review!

How wonderful to catch up. So, the father is regretting his behavior and the way he has raised his sons, particularly Clovis, eh? About time he got a clue, it seems to me.

And they finally approach their goal. Wonderful!

Now, how on earth did I manage to get three chapters behind? I hate my ISP lately! Heh!

Author Reply: Oh dear! Computer woes are the bane of online existence!! Hope things stay stable for you for good now.

Yes, Clodio is beginning to get his eyes opened. A little late in the day for it, sadly. Yet, not, perhaps too late for him.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/13/2007
I enjoyed the way this chapter moved seemlessly from one hobbit's thoughts to anothers. A very nice way to include all points of view as the hobbits travel. I thought that Freddy's hesitance when asking what might happen to the prisoners was very in character here. He would be thinking of his own imprisonment and it might be difficult for him to see others go through that even if they did deserve some measure of it. I am so glad that this story is back in full swing again.

Author Reply: I am trying very hard to include all the POVs over the course of the story.

Yes, Freddy had to be thinking of the Lockholes, but also remembering what happened to Sandyman from a mere banishment. He's feeling very responsible for this mission, and he's begun to have just a bit of sympathy for at least one of the prisoners.

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/11/2007
Yeay--I'm finally here!

Too bad Clodio is just now coming to his senses and hearing that still, small voice. Isn't it amazing how clear hindsight can be--and with plenty of idle time to ponder one's actions? I do hope they all come to their senses before they get to Edoras.

I'm still enjoying the personal touches you give the characters--such as Berilac and Viola, the Men amused at the notion of elevenses, and the near-continual thought of food by the hobbits. ;-)

I'll be waiting for the next update(on the edge of my seat).... :-)

PF

Author Reply: Clodio's spent years allowing resentment and greed drown out that little voice, so it's a bit rusty, but it's not gone. I would not count on *all* of them coming to their senses though.

I'm having good fun with Beri and Viola--aren't they sweet? And the Men are coming to get used to the hobbit obssession with food, LOL!

Well, lean back and relax--it's up now!

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/11/2007
I have been savouring this chapter Dreamflower. Love the understanding of the hobbit eating habits! I think it takes a special person to be married to a Healer of any Race. But then we know some very special Hobbits don't we!

I think that the Hobbits are right to be concerned about the punishment that may be faced but must also trust that both Kings have learned a thing or two about Hobbits.

Author Reply: Oh, thank you! I really think understanding the importance of food to hobbits is crucial to understanding them as a race.

Freddy and Beri trust what they've been told by Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam. But they've yet to meet the Kings in person, so a tiny sliver of worry remains. And too, they don't really know what to expect--they've been told that the Kings won't be too harsh, yet they have no way to guage what "too harsh" might mean to Men. A punishment that Men think is mild might seem pretty dreadful to the hobbits.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/11/2007
It seems the journey was long enough to give at least some of the prisoners enough time to finally realise the consequences of their actions and to think about their behaviour. Clodio is now seeing clearly his own faults and the results for his whole family. Of course it is too late to prevent the banishment, but maybe there is some hope for him. Somehow I feel a bit sorry for him and his younger son, at least, even if I can't say the same of the other two, and I'm still not happy with the way Clodio treated Beryll. But Clodio and Cado show more understanding and repentance than the other two.

It is nice of Freddy to be so concerned about the prisoners, in spite of all they did. But it seems so very like hobbit nature to be uncomfortable with the idea of handing them over to a foreign King and not knowing how they will be punished.

And I see there is another healer who is coming around to accept that even healers can be happily wed *and* being healers. Diamond and Viola will set a new example, I suppose.

And of course I am a bit amused to see that the men are thinking in hobbit meal times already ;-)



Author Reply: He's beginning to realize where the roots of his trouble lay. He made the mistake of resenting his sister's natural ease with other people, and of going into his marriage wishing that his chosen bride had more money and status. So, even though he was in love with Beryl at the start, he resented that as well. It began to poison all his other relationships. Greed is not a natural hobbit trait, and by encouraging it in himself, he managed to "shut down" that little voice of conscience. But now he has nothing left to do but think.

Cado began thinking from the time they got caught. It's a shame he didn't start thinking before he went along with his brother's daft plan.

Poppy's aware that a few healers *do* marry. Lavender has been married for a good many years. I think her main concern is that it be a good match, and that Viola doesn't throw away her training. But I think that watching Berilac has helped her realize he would not make her give up her avocation.

Well, they spent a little over a month in the Shire, and now they have spent about that much time on the road with hobbits--they pretty much know how hobbits tell time, LOL!

SurgicalSteelReviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/10/2007
Lovely - interesting to see Clodio starting to regret his actions - and Poppy's delightful as always. ;)

Author Reply: Clodio is beginning to realize a few things, too late.

Poppy's a lot of fun to write. She's very observant.

ViresseReviewed Chapter: 35 on 1/10/2007
Hooray, another chapter to make getting through work today a bit easier.

It is good to see Clodio finally beginning to understand his motivations for his actions, and take some responsibility. He may actualy be 'turning back into' a real hobbit, dare I hope? I don't have much hope for his older son, but perhaps Cado may do so as well.

Author Reply: Oh, I'm glad if I make your day better!

It's been a long time coming, but Clodio is beginning to understand that perhaps it was his own attitudes and resentments that brought all this disaster on him and on his sons. Cado also seems to be understanding a few things. Clovis, however, pretty bull-headed, and I don't think he's likely to feel regret any time soon.

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