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Consequences of a Fall  by Dreamflower 10 Review(s)
Indigo BuntingReviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/13/2006
Hyacinth’s hopes fell. A mere sunburn would not be fatal.

Gasp! That $*?@&!!! And I suspect she'll get worse before she gets better. Someone's going to deserve her comeuppance, even if I do feel a little bit sorry for her, being bossed around by her sister-in-law. But it sounds like she's reaping what she sowed, and no more.

Author Reply: Oh, believe me, she gets *infinitely* worse.

Her comeuppance will be a long time coming, but yes, she definitely gets to "reap" the consequences of her greed and ambition.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/26/2006
Indeed, very formidable in spite of his mildness, our Frodo will be. Ferumbras is far more astute than perhaps he realizes. And glad he was politic and sensitive enough to wish to speak briefly with Pippin. Speaks well of him as the Took.

And Reggie is himself a wonderful young Hobbit!

Author Reply: Frodo is indeed formidable in any number of ways.

Ferumbras has the potential to be quite astute and a good Thain. But he has his own agenda, and years spent outmanuevering his mother meant he never truly developed that potential. But he's not a bad hobbit, and of course he would be concerned for the little lad.

I'm rather fond of my Reggie, and often regret having stuck him with Hyacinth for a wife.

Pearl TookReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/20/2006
All caught up!!

It is good that Pearl and Pippin have family that loves and cares for them so much.

Hyacinth is such a hag!!!!

Looking forward to more :)

Author Reply: Yes, Pearl and Pippin both have an excellent support system!

Hyacinth is such a hag!!!!

She's pretty bad. I think if she were smarter, she would easily be worse than Lobelia or Lalia.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/19/2006
Guest. Humph.

Well, I really wonder who that guest is!

By the time the three exited the sitting room, both lasses were smiling at something Frodo had said. Ferumbras watched him leave with a touch of envy. The Baggins always seemed to have such an easy way with folk, young or old. He was going to be formidable as he got older.

The Thain of the Shire admiring young Frodo Baggins! Now that I like! Frodo had a hard time to grow into his new position as Master of Bag End and Family Head, there's no doubt. But there is something about him that makes everyone love him, and that's a rare gift.
Although Ferumbras' mere presence intimidates the Took girls (and their parents - in some way), he is a good hobbit. He does not believe the gossip about Pearl. But as Thain he needs a proof, and so he has to wait for more information. Maybe that makes him look hard, but he has to act according to his position.

Let's hope Pippin is up and about soon! I have no idea what Hyacinth's new plan might be.

Author Reply: Everyone is wondering about the guest. *grin*

Frodo had a great amount of the Fallohide charisma, and it affected all who knew him one way and another. I think even those who disliked him were envious of him. Ferumbras most certainly recognizes this quality in Frodo.

Well, Ferumbras is not a *bad* hobbit--but he has quite a few flaws. Still, he will do what is right in the end.

Hyacinth doesn't either at this point--but then she is very much an opportunist.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/19/2006
Somehow, I could feel the sunburn when I read this chapter. Ouch! Now, it would seem that Pearl is in for more pain of another kind. Never rains but it pours.

Author Reply: I'm glad I was able to convey that feeling!

Well, this is a hard time for Pearl. And it is going to pour for just a little while longer...

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/19/2006
Merry does make a good sick nurse. But I'm glad he was keen to eat his breakfast. He is, after all, a growing lad.

How anyone - except Reggie, who has reason to know - has failed to notice the venom spewing from Hyacinth's mouth is beyond me. She doesn't hide her vindictiveness at all well.

Looking after Pippin is a very good reason for Pearl not to turn up at the feast - but I do think in Ferumbras's place I would feel inclined to make sure she was there and make a point of being extremely kind to her - it would be a better way to scotch rumours and show that he doesn't credit them at all. And I'm sure he could protect her from scrutiny over the course of the evening if he wanted to.

I wonder what unwelcome guest is about to turn up and sleep in the bed Hyacinth has prepared.

Author Reply: Yes, he's a growing lad, and at least his stomach knows that, even when the rest of him would rather not acknowledge it, LOL!

People constantly underestimate her, for one thing. She has a reputation for being silly and somewhat stupid--and actually, it's true. But hardly anyone ever looks beyond that to the cunning and greed underneath. And vindictiveness is not a generally hobbity trait, with a few notable exceptions, so most hobbits are not inclined to see it until their noses are shoved in it. When a fleeting thought occurs, it seems to be dismissed immediately--"Oh, she couldn't have really meant that the way it sounded; she's just not smart enough to realize."

Ferumbras would rather stick his head in the sand, so to speak. Protecting her from scrutiny is certainly within his power, but it would be an effort he'd rather not have to deal with. He'd much prefer to just let Reggie figure things out, and then just deal with it all at one time. Ferumbras is not malicious, but he is rather self-centered.

You will find out at the end--if you don't guess sooner...

ElemmírëReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/19/2006
Oi! I hope that Hyacinth gets herself banned from the Shire! She's utterly horrible--she makes Lobelia seem nice at times! (now there's a pair to write about together :)
Poor Pip, I know exactly how he feels as I am very fair-skinned and have had the pleasure of quite a few severe sunburns in my life. They're no fun.

Author Reply: Well, as you can tell from the "flashforwards" she's already been cast out of the Took family.

Hyacinth and Lobelia together? I shudder to think!

No, sunburns are no fun at all.

PIppinfan1988Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/18/2006
Hyacinth...oy, oy, oy...with family or friends like her, who needs enemies?

I do like the reasons your Ferumbras is keeping Pearl away from his assencion feast; even the way JRRT wrote it, it sounded more like a punishment than anything else.

I am really enjoying this tale. :-)

Pippinfan

Author Reply: Who needs enemies, indeed? Of course a few years later, the cousins will meet far worse enemies than Hyacinth--but really, you know she's quite poisonous enough as is!

It did, actually. I would love to have had a peek into JRRT's mind, to see what the story *really* was, you know. It sounded like a lot of mystery and intrigue, didn't it? I write Pearl as being innocent of any ill-intent, but it *would* be intriguing to see a take on it, where Pearl really was guilty.

I'm glad you are enjoying it--I had a good deal of fun writing it!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/18/2006
Something at the back of my mind tells me Pearl just might be in for a very hard time. I'm so glad Rosamunda isn't going along with any of this. But goodness, you can't catch sunburn! I can't *wait* to see what Reggie does! *gleeful smile*
God bless,
Galadriel

Author Reply: Pearl's already having a hard time, poor dear. But Reggie is working away! Rosamunda is a rather shallow person, but she at least has a heart. She'd be appalled to know what Hyacinth is *really* like.

No, she doesn't think sunburn is catching, but it's worrisome to her to realize how even little things like playing out in the sun too long can be dangerous for children.

Reggie is going to be very methodical in carrying out the Thain's orders...

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/18/2006
Oh, what is that Hyacinth planning now? I have a theory, and I wouldn't put it past her for a second. I'm starting to get very curious about this guest Hyacinth is preparing that room for. Do we eventually find out?

Author Reply: No, don't put *anything* past Hyacinth--time will tell, if you are correct.

And, yes, if you don't guess sooner, you *will* find out who the guest is.

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