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Distractions  by GamgeeFest 6 Review(s)
AndreaReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/22/2009
“Well, that was unexpected,” said Sam. “I liked that!”

I totally agree :-)

It must have taken the men of Gondor and Rohan some time to learn to dance like that. But still, shaved heads are indeed a sacrifice, especially for the Riders of Rohan! So, I would wish for Osie to get his Jamila after all! He's really a gentlemen.

As for Aragorn and his company - that was a great prank! He really should have listened to Gandalf.

But the last word belongs to Sam:

At least word of this would never reach the Shire – or Rosie, if Merry and Pippin knew what was good for them.

LOL!!! I think Rosie wouldn't mind, but I would not rely on Merry and Pippin to keep quiet. There might always be an accident ;-)

Author Reply: Thank you! I wasn't very sure about the dance as I was writing it, so I'm glad everyone enjoyed! The men are soldiers, and while learning fighting techniques isn't exactly the same as learning a dance, the concepts are rather similar. They would have picked it up rather quickly. The shaved heads are actually just a part of the "costume" - an additional sacrifice for the Gondorians and Osric to be certain - but not the one Farzana had in mind. ;)

Aragorn will know better in the future than to attempt to keep a secret from such inquisitive friends. At the very least, he'll know not to allow Sam to spy on him! ;)

Rosie wouldn't mind in the slightest. Just the opposite actually, she'd think it's the most hilarious thing for her Sam to dance with a lady of the Big Folk - and Sam knows it!

LaireReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/22/2009
... best. Prank. Ever.

Aragorn totally deserves it for trying to keep a secret from the Hobbits. Oh, the court will be gossiping about the king on the morrow...

I laughed quite a bit during this chapter. Still eager to see what happens with Frodo's prank, the girls (I want that young one to regain her voice), Jamilla and Osric...

Can't wait for more.

Author Reply: Looking at the timeline, it clearly states that Arwen and her escort go first to Rohan. So Eomer and Eowyn knew before the hobbits did! Seeing that, I didn't mind tweeking the story a little to allow the hobbits to learn the truth before Arwen's arrival, and I think that Frodo's statement upon seeing Arwen still reads the same whether he knew ahead of time or not. (Oh, the court will be buzzing! The scandal!) :P

Those will all be resolved soon. Frodo's prank is just a couple more chapters away. ;)

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/21/2009
So finally we see the dance. Sounds like something we'd all enjoy seeing. Were you channeling your inner Yul Brynner as you wrote? (I saw some King and I clips recently, and those images popped into my mind.)

My favorite bit, hands down, is Gimli's comment about women who like to eat. I love how you indirectly reveal character and this is a prime example. Perfect.

Too bad Aragorn couldn't think of something even more "compromising" in retaliation. Would love to see those hobbity pranksters squirm.

Author Reply: Is that who Yul Brynner is? lol I've heard the name, but never knew who he was. Also never seen the King and I. The only musicals I've ever watched were Sound of Music and Grease. Well, I guess Wizard of Oz counts too. :D I actually googled for Persian dances and took bits and pieces from the ones I like and just made up stuff for the rest. Glad you enjoyed it!

Dwarf women don't strike me as the type overly concerned about their appearance! They'd eat just as heartily as their men. Gimli is bound to appreciate that in a woman. ;)

Oh, Aragorn knows he deserved what he got - and that the hobbits really could have made it much worse for him if they wanted! The women did give up the ruse rather quickly, after all - and they are keeping the bachelorettes off him. Of course, that isn't to say what the word at court will be the following morning! I think the king is looking forward to a certain trip he'll be taking soon. ;)

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/21/2009
Oh, those wicked hobbits, LOL! Poor Aragorn! But I agree-- the hobbits *did* need to get back at him for not telling them why they couldn't go home! (That always irked me from the first time I read of it!) It's certainly just what he deserves. (I like that you had all four of them guess the truth-- in my stories only Frodo guesses.)

Well, I never suspected shaved heads; I did suspect tattoos, though-- so you really pulled one over on me.

(And truthfully? I don't suppose Rose would have minded Sam dancing with the girl all that much. SHE knows where his heart is, and she's a very sensible hobbit. But I suppose it won't hurt to let him worry about it. Merry and Pippin will keep their mouths shut if they know what's good for them.)

Author Reply: The hobbits have taught Aragorn a valuable lesson - never consent to Sam spying on you! :P He uncovered just enough clues to allow them to piece the puzzle together, and Merry had this prank - which he actually got the idea from Faramir! - in mind even before they knew what's what. (As for the Professor and the book, that's the same situation as Merry not realizing Dernhelm was really Eowyn. He had to set up the surprise for the reader, thereby forcing the characters to remain in the dark.) I think Frodo's comment upon seeing Arwen allows for some wriggle room in allowing the hobbits to figure out the secret - his statement still reads with the same infliction and admiration whether he knew beforehand or not.

Well, actually, we haven't learned what the sacrifice is yet. :D Farzana wouldn't consider that any sort of trial, though she was wise enough to realize that part of the "costume" would come as a shock to the lads.

Oh, Rose wouldn't mind at all. No, Sam's worry is that she would find it utterly hilarious - a hobbit dancing with one of the Big Folk, and male Hobbit and lady of the Big Folk at that! He has enough things to worry about - his poor toes for instance - without adding this on top of it!

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/21/2009
A most unusual sacrifice indeed!

Frodo had said to beware Merry’s retribution, but it was apparent that all the hobbits had decided to participate. Why couldn’t they have just streaked through the ball to seek their revenge?

Delightful. :)

Author Reply: The shaved heads are a shock to our lads, but Farzana would hardly consider natural air conditioning a sacrifice! To her, it's nothing more than part of the costume, so stay tuned. ;)

LOL! Aragorn has learned much about hobbits, including their logic for pranks and retributions, seemingly. Really, he should have seen this coming. ;)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 27 on 9/21/2009
Poor Aragorn IS dealing with Hobbits, after all, and devious Hobbits at that! And he's definitely good at giving as much as he's gotten! Heh!

As for the dance--it sounds marvelous! Poor lads--their heads shaved like that! Now, was it worth it? Will Jamaila accept Osric?

A fascinating evening.

Author Reply: You would think that Aragorn would have learned his lesson by now, but then again, the pranks have never been directed at him before! lol!

I'm glad you enjoyed the dance! I had googled for various Persian dances and couldn't find any one that I particularly liked, so ended up taking bits here and there and adding my own idea.

Well, the shaved heads are just the tip of the iceberg! While certainly a shock to our lads, it's not quite the sacrifice that Farzana had in mind. ;)

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