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O The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night  by Lindelea 4 Review(s)
harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/25/2007
Ooh! I don't know about the trees providing 'good hiding' I can see two little hobbits who might just be in for 'a good hiding' when the hunt catches up with them. If relief doesn't outweigh aggrivation that is.

Author Reply: Ah, I missed seeing this review until I came to post a new chapter. Good hiding, nice play on words. We'll have to see!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/2/2007
Thank goodness Merry's a Brandybuck, and, as such, capable of pulling a little lad out of the water. And wise enough to scare him out of taking the chance again - although Ferdi might have taken his warnings a teensy bit too seriously, considering his later aversion to rivers. Although, on the other hand, considering his experiences with anything more dangerous than a pillow ... (I don't think anyone has attempted to off him by suffocating him with a pillow yet, have they?)

They must have some rather dangerous adventures ahead if their families are not about to put them on leashes and tie them to a ring in the wall. That or Eglantine's health is about to put disciplining children out of all heads until it's too late to do anything about it.

Author Reply: (I don't think anyone has attempted to off him by suffocating him with a pillow yet, have they?)
No, I think Dreamflower's Pippin has that distinction. (And he's not even born yet, on this part of the timeline. Whew. Sigh of relief and passing desire to add to Angst.)

As to what's ahead. Hmmm. You just might have something there.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/1/2007
Seeking to hide, they lose themselves possibly the more? Alas, Merry's saved Ferdi but now they will be the more lost in the end, I fear.

I love how Ferdi connects the stones with ponies.

Author Reply: I remember reading about how lost little ones will sometimes hide from searchers. We had a very sad case here, as you might recall, last autumn, an autistic boy lost in the wilderness.

Ah, yes, Ferdi and ponies--he'd be very pony-oriented, I think, what with his father and uncle's occupation. His Bolger grandmother would love to raise him as a young lord, rather than a working hobbit, but by the time his mother dies and his father is incapacitated, she's gone on to her reward and cannot step in to take over his shaping "as ought to have been".

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 9 on 7/31/2007
Oh my! That *was* a close call!

Merry was so earnest, and well-versed even at that young age, on the dangers of rivers and streams--the Brandywine and Brandy Hall are good teachers! And I'm sure that Frodo drilled that message into his little cousin constantly, to protect him from the fate that befell his parents.

And then for them to flee the searchers! Silly little hobbits!

Author Reply: Yes, I'm sure that the message is word-for-word quoted from Frodo. Can you imagine the first occasion when it might have been spoken?

It is a wonder to me that small children have been known to hide from rescuers, but having read enough news accounts, I'm convinced it happens, whether I understand it or not.

And yes, it was a close call, and a good thing that Frodo had drilled Merry in what to do when grabbed by someone drowning--push them under water until they let go, and *then* rescue them.

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