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Distractions  by GamgeeFest 7 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/21/2009
Ah, so sad but likely an ending for Hildifons. Nice to find out what he might well have done. And am so glad the Thain's medallion has come home! As for Pippin's question! Ah, that had me laughing aloud!

Author Reply: Hildifons won't have any regrets about his Adventures, and soon his story will be carried back to the Shire for all to hear and the medallion will be once again restored to its proper owner. Pippin does know how to lighten the mood! lol! Good thing Merry interrupted him when he did! Who knows what else he might have said.

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/21/2009
Oh, I just loved your account of both Isengar and Hildifons! Very well thought out and very plausible!

Isengar's adventure was really exciting, and I like the way you were able to show the risks that the people of Harad took when they sheltered him, even though he himself probably did not realize how serious the danger was until later.

It was a great touch to have Hildifons' story told in the grand story-telling manner of the East. (It reminded me of Aravis in the Narnia book The Horse and His Boy, and how she told her story to Shasta.)

Some of the subtle bits were Merry's suspicious nature coming out over how much the queen already knew about Frodo, and his comment about bringing some lasses and eyeing Aragorn, LOL!

But the funniest bit had to have been at the end with the explaination of what a eunuch was. I could just imagine all the males at the table cringing and crossing their legs in horror! I also liked the fact that Elrohir, Legolas and Gimli did not know either!

And Pip's remark at the end! LOL!

I really am looking forward to more of this!

Author Reply: The Isengar bunny keeps nipping at my toes. Since reading The Arabian Nights last year, I've often thought of writing an Isengar story similar to that of The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor. This makes the second adventure that has been relayed through the hobbits, the first being told in EYEWTKAH. If I ever figure out what the other five are, I may just write that story yet. It is safe to say that Isengar never fully understood the danger he was in, or he wouldn't have described it as boring to Gandalf!

It was Arabian Nights that I had in mind when writing the story of Hildifons, and try to emulate in the Haradrim's speech. Hildifons's story would have been one told throughout the years and likely added to since its first telling. Shahzad has likely been practicing it, making sure he remembered it correctly for the hobbits. :)

Merry has his reasons for being suspicious. We'll find out soon enough if he's right or not. As for bringing women, Strider better be careful! LOL! Merry won't be likely to make that mistake again! ;)

I imagine that living so far to the north, they might not have heard all the rumors of the Far South that the Gondorians and Rohirrim have heard. At least the hobbits weren't the only ones in the dark. Ah, Pippin. He does know how to make a point, doesn't he! LOL!

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/21/2009
How exciting for them to see the medallion... and possibly a book! You made me lean forward in anticipation right along with the hobbits. As for eunuchs, everyone's personal squeamishness is quite understandable but I found their unwillingness to explain a bit baffling! Is the yogurt juice a product of your imagination or does something similar actually exist?

Author Reply: That medallion was a surprise for me. Not sure when it got added into the chapter now, but when it did, it made perfect sense to me. Gerontiun couldn't keep his son at home, but he figured that given him such an important heirloom would bring him back in time. He was right, though he would never know it.

The Haradrim would have explained, of course, had they understood the question. The Queen, who did understand, is not yet willing to reveal to all that she understands Westron. As for the others, I imagine that as Erkenbrand thought, they would have felt the hobbits' innocence damaged enough without adding unnecessary shock! :P Merry now understands why!

The yogurt juice is a real thing. I came across it on quite a few websites while looking for Persian dishes for the feast chapter. It sounds delicious. If I ever come across it, I'd certainly want to try it.

Grey WondererReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/20/2009
LOL So this time Merry gets to ask the unmentionable question!

I enjoyed this chapter very much. Love the fact that the hobbits are getting cooking lessons. And Pippin's line about how Hildidons would still have chosen the snake was excellent!

Author Reply: *grins* Well, you knew Merry was going to pop the question eventually! And since he couldn't get any of the Rohirrim to explain it, he rightly assumed that none of the Gondorians would either. Best to go straight to the source! LOL!

The Haradrim might just take some Shire recipes home with them also. I don't imagine the hobbits back home adopting the spicy Haradrim fare, though that yogurt juice does seem to be getting rave reviews. ;)

Pippin does have a way of making his point! LOL!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/19/2009
It's bedtime, so I won't have time for a long review tonight (hope to get one in tomorrow) but just had to let you know this chapter was great!

Author Reply: I'm glad this chapter made for some enjoyable bedtime reading for you! :)

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/19/2009
How fascinating for the hobbits (and us!) to hear these stories, and for Pippin to once again hold that medallion.

Author Reply: The hobbits will be able to take word back of Hildifons at least, and return that medallion to Paladin, who will be astonished and then some to receive it! I'm glad you enjoyed the stories!

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/19/2009
“Pippin!” Merry groaned, wishing he had never asked the question. He should have listened to Erkenbrand.

LOL!!! He should have known that before he asked the question!

That was a great story about Hildifons, narrated in the best story-teller voice. Hildifons had a great time with Prince Roshan and his family, but still it was not home. So I can understand very well why he left - among other things ;-)

But it's really tragic that his seemingly everlasting luck left him in the end. Poor Hildifons!

Isengar on the other hand might have never known how lucky he was to have met that particular fisherman!

And now I would love to know if the Queen really has found out who the Ring-bearer is.

Author Reply: LOL! He really should have! But as bad as Took curiosity is, Brandybucks are worse! Merry just couldn't let that one pass - though he now wishes he had! ;)

Hildifons did enjoy his time in Harad, but having gone as far he wanted and seen so much, he realized there really was no place like home. Of course, there were other factors motivating him to leave! :D I do think that Hildifon's luck was transferred to Isengar, who really never understood just how perilous his position was!

Your wish will soon be granted. ;)

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