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Runaway  by Lindelea 3 Review(s)
Tim the EnchanterReviewed Chapter: 17 on 10/27/2003
Re-reading this I see a resembance between how Pippin was raised and Faramir's current home life. It appears that some of Paladin's bad parenting habits have been acquired by his son. While Pippin would never be as insensitive or arrange a marriage for Faramir, he is setting up a situation where his son only knows him as a disciplinarian and it is other relatives who take up the role of mentor and nurturer. Its a easy trap to fall into.

MirielReviewed Chapter: 17 on 10/20/2003
I like how your chapter titles always tell what to expect.

Wow. Ferdi's insight on Faramir really summed everything up. It's true, isn't it, that they hardly have time for him anymore? How is a child supposed to react?

Hopefully everything will turn out alright on the morrow. It's interesting how everyone wants to let Ferdi go. Merry, Hilly...

It will be most interesting when Tolly shows up as well.

You are really doing a good job with this. Keep it up!

Author Reply: Well, lots of children with busy parents who can't get attention any other way turn to mischief, or worse.

You know me, things will turn out, eventually. We've got a bit of angst to get through, first, and Jo is even better at cranking up the angst-meter than I am.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll pass your review on to Jo as well.

FantasyFanReviewed Chapter: 17 on 10/20/2003
Ah, this is the chapter I've been waiting for! I'm so glad there was this delay of a day or so between when Pip and Merry arrived, and when Regi brings Tolly to finish the hearing. In the less formal atmosphere before the hearing starts, Ferdi is not silenced and is allowed to speak the bitter truth to Pippin. A number of things have come together to allow this. Ferdi would never have spoken so directly had it not been his last chance. He tried the indirect method, working through the example of the Bolgers on Farry, but it blew up in his face. Even had Farry gotten the lesson, this talk would have had to come eventually as there are two parts to the problem and Pip's part needs to be addressed. The quiet of the night, the quiet after the storm, the breathing space before Regi arrives, the calming of Farry's nightmares: all create an atmosphere for confidences to be shared and for Pippin to be able to listen. I think on reflection I would still like Pippin to be more unreasonable in his anger in the previous chapters, clearly unable to hear anything Ferdi had to say until this point of calm is reached.

Ferdi makes his points well here, but there is still a link missing. He speaks of Pip dying and how he would like to be remembered by his son, but he does not tell Pippin that Farry knows of the seriousness of Pippin's health concerns, and how deeply it affects him. It's a key factor in Farry's motivation, and I can't see it coming out in converstation between father and son - Pip would not speak of his illnesses to Farry for fear of causing the very problem that now exists. Ferdi's said his piece and feels satisfied - how will this ever come out?

Little touches in this chapter I like:
'Might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb, as he’d heard Pippin say, though he had no idea why you’d hang a sheep unless to butcher it.' Even after his adventures as the Fox almost ended with a rope around his neck, Ferdi does not understand this phrase. Wonder why Pip keeps saying it? (Although, it certainly references a degree of risk-taking characteristic for Pippin!)

'If your hand holds the brand to my cheek, you had better steady it or you're likely to blind me.' Made me catch my breath. Sharply-pointed bit of foreshadowing.

The hug between Rosemary and Ferdi, and Hilly giving Ferdi a chance to escape. That Pippin, who he is very loyal to, thinks him evil and Merry, who he's known most of his life, thinks him insane, must wound Ferdi deeply, under his trademark stoicism. Merry has already given him one chance to run, and now Hilly offers the same. Rosemary shows her support and love the only way she can. Ferdi can at least take some comfort that not everyone he once counted as friend has abandoned him, and he is sure his Nell will follow him into exile if necessary. I am enjoying the hobbity concern.

The final paragraph. Ferdi has done his best. The ultimate outcome is out of his hands, but with his conversation with Pip, his conscience is clear. Must be a wonderful feeling.



Author Reply: You're right, Ferdi can't imagine being hung for stealing either a sheep or a lamb. Shunned, maybe.

Funny, both Jo and I forgot to include that Farry is aware that Pippin's dying. Do you think that Pippin's unaware of this fact?

I'm passing your comments on to Jo (about Pippin's anger) and she is giving it some thought. I must admit I am too fond of "my Pip" to make him so unreasonable. I need to take a step back from the character, which is one reason I turned all my material over to Jo and asked her to put it in order and help me finish it, for I simply could not face revising it again; I had reached my threshold of frustration. Everything of her own that she has added has enriched the story, rather than taking away from it. What a wonderful author she is! And because of her help, I have been able to begin revising and adding new bits to the story again.

Thanks for telling of your favourite bits. I'd comment more but for the fact that the Alsation is back with her nudgy nose and nibbly teeth, telling me I need to do something or other that does not involve typing. Toodle-oo.

Author Reply: Alsatian, I meant. Blame the nibbly teeth.

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