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In Empty Lands  by Larner 9 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 13 on 10/21/2009
I so admire the Hobbits,they are so brave despite being scared.

Author Reply: I missed this one! Sorry!

Yes, Hobbits are able to get past their fears into active mode, which leads us to admire them stupendously! Thanks!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/19/2009
It's still fun to watch how poor Boromir has to put together the pieces of knowledge about Hobbits the way he gets them. Some things have to be quite incomprehensible to him, particularly while having to listen to Pippin's long monologue ;)

That Pippin as the youngest is worrying most who might endanger the Shire and how they would be able to protect their land is interesting. There's the future Thain coming through! Bilbo's account how any dangerous folks would be taken care of sounded reassuring – save that we all know the Rangers will be called away ...

Author Reply: Oh, I so agree, Kitty! Poor Boromir, trying to make sense of a prolonged Took ramble!

Yes, Pippin is already the Thain in the making! As for what will happen once the Rangers head south to join Aragorn in Rohan--that was perhaps inevitable.

Thanks again so, Kitty.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/9/2009
A charming chapter - I love Pippin's being so knowledgeable about fruits that he can advise Boromir which one is the best to take; showing that Pippin lives much closer to the land than the Captain-General of Gondor, which is only natural, given their cultures. The Pippin/Boromir conversation, though mostly one-sided, is wonderful; and what a shame it was that Boromir never was able to visit Pippin's home and sample Eglantine's cooking.

Author Reply: Well, who better to appreciate what food is best, particularly fruits and vegetables, than a Hobbit, right? And I, too, so regret that Boromir never got the chance to get that meal--one reason I love "The Bee Charmer," I think, seeing him have the chance to do things like know Shire life anyway!

Thanks so, Raksha!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/9/2009
Stars above, lad--you would talk the ears off of the corn!

LOL!!! Bilbo always finds the right words!

Among all the information Boromir aquires in this conversation (which is sometimes more like a monologue thanks to a certain young hobbit) he could also learn a lot about Pippin himself.
The journey to Rivendell has already changed him. He has matured a lot.
He is the first one to ask Boromir if he could teach them swordcraft, not Bilbo and not Merry. That tells a lot!

Author Reply: Yes, Pippin is already foreseeing need and reacting appropriately, at least at times. He will be an excellent Thain when his time comes, after all! And who better to know the right words than Bilbo?

Am so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks again so much, Andrea!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/8/2009
So Boromir's education continues...

Love Bilbo's comment about Pippin talking the ears off corn. :)

And where indeed has Frodo gone? This would be a burdensome time for him. *hugs him*

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Oh, yes--Boromir has a good deal to learn about all of his companions! Frodo is demanding some plain old privacy, not that I blame him. When he's feeling he has some of what's facing him sorted out, or accepts he can't do everything himself, he'll come out of hiding. Although, having found a fair hiding place he's likely to use it again if he feels he needs it.

Thanks so, Antane.

cathleenReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/8/2009
Just discovered this, Bonnie! I'm going to go back and read the whole thing, it's wonderful!

Author Reply: Oh, am so glad you did. I hope you find it enjoyable enough to keep following it!

Thank you so much!

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/7/2009
WOW - and again I say, WOW....

What a great chaper. I just giggled most of the way through it. I was just watching Much Ado About Nothing and laughing at how Shakespeare snuck in that wonderful comedic moment with the inept guards...... And yet - here you are doing the same.

I can just imagine poor Boromir's 'deer in the headlights' look as Pip spoke of the Sackville-Baggins, and Ted Sandyman and all of them talking about Weathertop and Bree and such.... Good grief! And the true concern of the Hobbits for their Shire...

Delightful chapter.... And I do so love Boromir's asking Elrond for permission to use his facilities.

Again - wow!

Author Reply: Am so glad you appreciated it, Agape. For someone who's been as single-mindedly raised as Boromir, to think of Gondor and its defense above and beyond all else, this must truly be overwhelming--these folk seem to expect him to appreciate just what it means to live in a smial and the importance of knowing to what degree you might be related to anyone else, and picking out apples for him?

Am so glad you like the idea of Boromir approaching Elrond--but then I'd think that Boromir has been raised to be respectful of training grounds and the like!

Thank you so!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/7/2009
"You would talk the ears off of the corn!"

I just love that line, and this whole conversation. I'm thoroughly enjoying these glimpses of hobbit thoughts and hearts. What a wonderful education for Boromir. :)

Author Reply: Bilbo has his youngest kinsman present pegged, doesn't he? Am glad you like that line! And Boromir is indeed getting his education!

Thanks so for the feedback, Shirebound.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 13 on 8/7/2009
Marvelous chapter!

One of the things I like about the way you are doing this is that by giving poor Boromir "information overload" at times, he is able to gradually pick out the relevant bits. Yes, it seems as if Pippin is telling him "too much", but in all that prattle are the things he is going to have to understand about his new companions as they journey.

I loved the bit where Pippin instructs Boromir on the best food to take from the sideboard! That just made me grin.

And I look forward to seeing these lessons. I've done my own take on that-- I am eager to see yours!

Author Reply: I know that when I myself am tired or upset--and particularly when both--I tend to prattle a bit too much, and I can SO see Pippin doing similarly, of course. Boromir has a good deal to learn about the Hobbits, who have quite different histories and priorities than he has experienced or formed; he needs to learn rather quickly, I'd think, and who better to teach him than Pippin?

And I can easily imagine a Hobbit, with one of his main priorities being food, automatically noting which apples are best and not too overripe, and where the latest batch of bread was placed in the tray, and so on.

And now indeed it's my turn to examine possible lessons!

Thanks so very much!

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