News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| All Work and No Play by Lindelea | 22 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Krackenmire | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 9/1/2025 |
| Nice! They'll reach Rivendell in a chapter or two, right? They're time in Rivendell ought to be certainly interesting. Will you write some chapters for Jewels about Pippin's time in Gondor? That should be entertaining. In Pearl Took's story "The Singer", it was mentioned that Aragorn knew of the magic in Tooks' eyes. Can you write a drabble story set in Pearl Took's universe about when Aragorn learned about the magic? Maybe a story in which the Big Folk got in trouble and Pippin used his magic to free them all? Ooooh, that would be funny. And very shocking for the big folk. *snicker* Author Reply: It may take rather more than a chapter or two to reach Rivendell (there's a key event that happens in this part of the story that did *not* happen during the original Travellers' journey), but hopefully those intervening chapters will be interesting in themselves. For its part, Rivendell was a challenge to imagine, considering how much has changed since Frodo was there with Sam and Merry and Pippin and Bilbo. But hopefully it'll ring true. And, of course, new characters will be added to the travelling party at that point. I can't promise to write a story set in someone else's universe (it's hard enough to fulfill my desire to be true to Tolkien's vision), but I will think about it. Your story idea sounds intriguing (and potentially humorous). Author Reply: I forgot to answer your question about Jewels... Actually, Pippin's time in Gondor is a separate short story that I'm hoping to post on September 22 in honor of Ring Day. (I just have to finish it, first...) So while Jewels will mention in passing the holiday in Gondor, the details of the journey will be found in a separate story so as not to swell Jewels to unwieldy proportions. Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 8/30/2025 |
| Well, very apropos title. Poor Pippin-lad! Not the best thing to do--to almost drown the entire company! At least Haldoron is willing to dispense with authenticity to make certain this will not happen again! Author Reply: Poor Pippin-lad. When I was first working out who should fall in over his head (Pippin's son? or his namesake?), it seemed to work out as the final version tells, especially considering Pip-lad's later troubles with excessive heat. After all, once you've had heat exhaustion or heat stroke, you're more susceptible to heat-related illness, or so I understand. Cheers for Haldoron! He doesn't face the same constraints as Ferdi who, even though he's Farry's uncle, is technically lower in status than the son of the Thain. Ferdi is conditioned (not only by the society he grew up in but by all his years of experience) to respond in a certain way, and even at this early point in their journey, Haldoron is recognizing that fact and intervening when he sees fit. What he's learning is how to lead Hobbits without condescending to them. I suppose that might be called cooperation? Thanks! Author Reply: (Or maybe I mean "interact with" rather than "lead"?) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 8/30/2025 |
| Those were serious words from Ferdi. And Holodorn is definitely learning more of the true nature of Hobbits. This is proving important for all of them. Author Reply: Ferdi's cousins have sometimes joked that he's half-pony, and he certainly lives up to his reputation here. I think I wrote this chapter immediately after writing several chapters of Bill's story, so I was feeling very sympathetic to a pony's point of view. Yup, this journey was intended as a learning experience in more ways than one, and I think it will more than live up to those expectations... even for those who are not actually walking with them. Thanks! | |
| Fimbrethil | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 8/30/2025 |
| 'If that is your wish, then I will not tell you such a thing,' young Pippin Gamgee replied with a straight face, but at Faramir's snicker, he covered his mouth with his hands and chortled.” lol. Yet so many of the jests I've overheard from Bilbo, years ago, or your cousin the Thain, more recently, might as well have been spoken around a table filled with Guardsmen...' Oh dear, you are probably right, especially from Peregrin. But then,' Ferdi put in quietly, 'I've no doubt they would have been at pains to offer such banter as Men would easily understand so as not to offend their listeners.' Oh. “Mister Frodo did not describe the country they travelled through in glowing terms,' Pip-lad said, causing the Man to look sharply at him in renewed surprise. The Mayor's son continued to remind him more of a scholar than a careless young Hobbit, especially when he shared insights he'd gleaned from hearing his father read aloud and discuss the account in the Red Book. As a matter of fact, Elessar himself had not described this part of the journey in glowing terms, either, when he had gone over the maps with Haldoron. Nevertheless, the Ranger-guide held his tongue and left the talking to the Gamgee teen, curious to hear what the lad might say. 'What sort of terms did my cousin use, then?' Ferdi asked. 'Forbidding was one,' Pip-lad admitted, but then amended, 'No, not forbidding... Let me think... Threatening, he wrote.' 'Somehow threatening sounds worse than merely forbidding,' Ferdi murmured to Haldoron. But Pip-lad hadn't quite finished. 'Sombre...' he said, tilting his head in thought. 'And sullen... even unfriendly! Ominous... I think that's what made me think of forbidding.' 'Lovely,' Ferdi said under his breath, but the Gamgee lad heard him and chortled again. 'No,' Pip-lad said cheerily. 'I'm quite sure that Mister Frodo did not use the word lovely, not at this point in the journey!' Pathless, as well as wet and cheerless, or so Elessar said, Haldoron thought to himself.” heehee. “Not at all,' Farry said, but he was not playing the game the other teen had initiated. Instead, he turned and gestured to Haldoron, saying, 'If you wouldn't mind, Haldor... I should think that Aragorn took the lead here. It was, after all, his short-cut.' Lol and heehee. “Thainly was his tone and bearing – unconsciously so, but in that moment, the Man could hear the echo of Thain Peregrin's voice speaking through his son's simple-seeming request. Though only a teen, Faramir had his father's knack of conveying an order with such grace and tact that he might have been conferring an honour or asking a simple favour.” humhum. This adventure will change the Walkers, but especially those four hobbits, much too. They are going to go to the trolls! And maybe a sing a song? Happy Labor Day and/or Last August Weekend! Author Reply: Happy Labor Day to you, as well! I am spending my Labor Day very pleasantly – reading fanfic and writing reviews, along with writing replies to reviews of my own chapters. Thanks so much for hitting the highlights in your review! I think you're right – this journey will be life-changing for everyone, with lots of opportunities for growth and learning. What would a visit to the Stone Trolls be without a song, indeed? Again, thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts. I do appreciate it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/26/2025 |
| Haldoron does well to take the lead here and nudge them on. Get on with it, silly Hobbits! Author Reply: Hobbits seem naturally to be more "talkers" than "doers" most of the time. Ah, but then there's that seed of courage said to be found deep in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit... Thanks! I really appreciate the lovely comments you've left on the chapters of this story. (It's late, so I will answer more reviews after a night's sleep.) | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 8/26/2025 |
| Ferdi has recieved his marching orders, and now appreciates the depths of responsibility he has been granted by his younger cousin, the Thain. I believe he will follow Strider's course as well as he can. Bless all stubborn--and competent--Hobbits. Author Reply: His stubbornness will stand him in good stead, I think, helped along by his competence. And I think his conversation with Pippin was an eye-opener, to say the least. Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 8/26/2025 |
| Poor Ferdi--he's contemplating so many foolish things right now, and is perhaps realizing he is, in his own way, realizing he is as foolish one of the Tooks as are the Thain and the Thain's son and heir. Author Reply: Poor Ferdi, indeed. I always used to hate preparing for camping trips. Once we got to the campsite and set up, I was fine – even wishing we could stay longer! (At least until we ran out of food and clean underwear.) But then, that was camping. As in staying in one place, in the woods, by the ocean or a stream. Resting in a camp chair and reading a book whilst the wee hobbits ran wild and free, more or less, returning to our campsite when they got hungry or when twilight started to come down. The longest backpacking trip I ever made was across the Teton range, much shorter than walking from Bree to Gondor by way of Imladris... and my hiking partner, an experienced backpacker, pretty much did all the planning since she knew what we were doing much better than I did. Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/24/2025 |
| He's learning more of the nature of his smaller companions than he'd looked to know. Gimli and Legolas will add experience to this exploit that will be appreciated by the two Men involved. Author Reply: He's definitely getting some "insider knowledge". Bergil will provide additional insights, I'm sure, as will Gimli and Legolas. Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/24/2025 |
| Aha! So Diamond doesn't know as yet! No wonder he's let his tea go cold! Now to see if he's as good at convincing his wife as he was with his sister! Author Reply: Hah. I'm sure he told her all about the original plan, but you're right... he hasn't quite figured out how to tell her about the revised plan at this point, even though he knows that sooner would be better than later. Thanks! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 8/24/2025 |
| 1Yikes! It's so long ago that I read that story. A terrible memory for both of them. Excellent strategy from Pippin for the two to meet and start a meaningful discussion. Bravo the Thain Author Reply: Let me add my Yikes! to yours... That was one of the most difficult stories I ever wrote. Pippin's ability to manipulate his cousins over the years is related to his insight into people. At least at this point in his life, he's using this talent for good and not selfish reasons. (I bet he'd like to send more of his Tookish cousins along in the hopes that they might form a better opinion of Men.) Thanks! | |