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Distractions  by GamgeeFest 6 Review(s)
cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 11 on 6/1/2009
After reading this chapter, and about Gimli's "lecture" on clay to the hobbits, I had an insight. I think I may be related to Gimli, on my father's side. Just a thought; might bear researching as it would explain a lot of things. ;o)

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/26/2009
Hehe! While reading some reviews a funny thought came into my mind why Merry bought those clothes! Let's see if I'm right (I'll tell you when I'm sure)!

“We have cement, my friend!” Gimli said. “It was the sand from Emyn Muil that did it. I’d bet my mother’s beard on it.”

This gave everyone pause.


LOL!!! So, Aragorn was right about the beards, wasn't he? I liked that scene in the movie!

And I liked how the Gondorian soldiers were treated by the friendly Houses of the Haradrim.

Harsh words bring harsh responses, heated with passion, and in such a moment only truth may be spoken.

Very true! I knew there had to be a strategy behind those harsh words!



Author Reply: Merry will surpass himself with this prank, I think. ;)

Well, Tolkien does say in the appendices that many dwarf women do have beards. :D I can imagine this being a very popular phrase amongst the dwarves!

The translators are fortunate to still be alive. Soroush at least has found a home among the Haradrim.

Aragorn would not have spoken so without need - and without being sure of the King and Queen's response. Haradrim politics is much more straight-forward than they are in Gondor. ;)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/25/2009
The tale told by the translators is fascinating and speaks well of the King and Queen they accompany to Gondor, and hopefully we will soon learn more of the Hobbit the family once sheltered even as it sheltered the Gondorian soldiers. And the concerns as to punishments speak a good deal to the culture of the Haradrim.

As for Legolas deciding to tackle Faramir as to what the intent might be for the clothing Merry purchased--an interesting thought, to be certain! Heh!

Author Reply: The translators were lucky to have survived and to be found by friends. The tale of the "Stunted One" will be told in time. The hobbits will be very eager to hear it. The Haradrim tradition of punishment is rather harsher than the Gondorians are accustomed to. This king and queen are rather progressive in allowing changes to be made to the old laws - or dismiss them entirely as they do here.

I think Legolas is worrying about this more than Frodo! lol! Faramir, though Legolas doesn't know it, does know about the real prank, if not the nature of the fake one, so he might just be able to get some useful information from Merry. It's certainly worth the try!

eilujReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/25/2009
“We have cement, my friend!” Gimli said. “It was the sand from Emyn Muil that did it. I’d bet my mother’s beard on it.”

This gave everyone pause.


May I be the first to acclaim this as one of the great fanfic lines of all time.

Author Reply: You may! And thank you! I can imagine that being a very popular phrase amongst the dwarves. :D

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/25/2009
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the clothes at all, which only worried Legolas more.

Poor Legolas! He's right -- Boromir (your Boromir, anyway!) would have gotten to the bottom of all this in short order. :)

Author Reply: Boromir would have simply held Merry upside down by the ankles until he confessed all! He's not the 'beat around the bush' type. hehe Legolas going to Faramir should prove interesting. Faramir does know Merry well, but doesn't have the advantage of a devious mind. ;) Then again, unknown to Legolas, he is in on the real prank, if not the fake one. He might be able to learn something yet.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/25/2009
Oh, I like the stories of the translators! They make a lot of sense! I hope we will get to see the reactions of the Haradrim when they learn the full story of Sauron's downfall.

Distractions? Looks like Merry has driven Legolas to distraction... and I'm like Legolas; I'm blest if I know what Merry's got up his sleeve!

Author Reply: The translators were lucky to survive and to find such a safe harbor for their time in Harad. ;) I'm sure their reactions will be of fascination that any man could accomplish such a task. If they ever learn the Ring-bearer's true identity, they'll be besides themselves with disbelief.

Everyone seems to be getting distracted from their original intentions! Legolas is certain to get a headache if he keeps trying to figure out The Plan! :D

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