Fimbrethil
· 5 September 2026
· Chapter 31: Encounter with an Elf-lord
“As far as Elves went – and they can go very far indeed, all the way o'er the Sea and to the other side, Farry thought nonsensically.” *haha*.
“Do not ask any Elves for counsel, for they'll never tell you exactly what to do but will instead describe every course of action you might conceivably take!” I like that part too.
Wow. I hope Haldoron’s alright.
Author's reply
LOL, it was fun to think how Pippin would construe what Frodo said about asking Elves for advice...
Haldoron appears in the next chapter, which is just about ready for beta-reading. (Think good thoughts!)
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and impressions. I really appreciate it.
demeter d
· 24 August 2026
· Chapter 27: By Some Curious Chance
I am often glad that SOA allows more than one review per chapter. I enjoyed your reflections about Wales. I also have a Welch connection. My father's paternal grandmother's parents came from Wales in the mid-1800's. Wales seems to be the quieter child of Britain. I mean, I do not see so much news in modern media about them, unless it is about the "Prince of Wales". And ever since that English king's bad joke promise of a 'prince who does not speak English', they have not really been Welch! (Well, there was that 'English' king out of legend... Arthur?)
Author's reply
I have enjoyed that feature at SoA over the years. I've had such good conversations with authors and reviewers in the comments section!
On our last visit to Wales, all the road signs were in both languages, or so I remember, but we heard very little Welsh spoken that last trip. Before that holiday, I had studied Irish and Welsh with the Duolingo app, but I didn't get much chance to use either language on our travels. Since then, it has been fun to watch television shows or films made in Wales and understand snippets of conversation here and there, for example, Death Valley, a cosy mystery series, and The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain, a delightful film with a young Hugh Grant as one of the Englishmen the title refers to. Oh, and Welcome to Wrexham, an ongoing documentary about two North American actors who bought a languishing football team in Wales and have invested time and money and effort into reviving both the team and the town. That show inspired us to visit Wrexham on our recent trip, actually. We had a couple very nice afternoon teas there. What fun!
Fimbrethil
· 11 August 2026
· Chapter 30: Waiting with a Spider's Patience
Oh fun! I wonder who it is :)
Author's reply
All will be revealed in the next chapter to be posted! Soon, I hope. Just working out the last of the knots.
Thanks!
Mysterious Jedi
· 12 July 2026
· Chapter 30: Waiting with a Spider's Patience
This is such a wholesome story of family and friends! I'm eager to see what happens next.
Author's reply
Thank you! It's good to see you again. The next chapter is ready for beta-reading, so think good thoughts, if you don't mind!
Fimbrethil
· 15 June 2026
· Chapter 29: Things that Go Bump...
Calendil! I had forgotten about him but I can vaguely remember…This is also bad. Spiders?!
It is kind of funny, and endearing, that the Hobbits shorten the Rangers’ names.
“Frankly, that would be a happier outcome than any I've been imagining for the past hour,' Farry reflected after a moment's thought.” Wow he does not sound like himself, and rather more like Pippin in Denethor’s MT.
“Young Faramir Took had often been called "too old for his years"” — I was about to say he seemed to be making a decision his namesake would, and then that sentence cinched it. You have successfully read your readers’ minds, Lindelea.
What happens next?
Author's reply
Thank you for sharing your thought process! I'm glad the chapter works. I'm hoping to post the next chapter very soon.
Author Reply: p.s. Yes, spiders! At least, a strand of web spun by a giant spider is involved. Quite perturbing.
Fimbrethil
· 15 June 2026
· Chapter 28: Just Around the Bend
“Thus, he welcomed the opportunity to sleep deeply and restore his energies. During such times, he found himself marvelling anew at Aragorn's achievement – travelling from Bree to Rivendell without rest or reprieve.”
He sounds like he is getting lazy. I wouldn’t expect the Rangers to be growing lax and soft already! Surely all the Rangers can travel thusly from Bree to Rivendell?
Uhoh. I just head the dreadful thought the dead man could be Bergil. That would be bad…don’t do that, please. Good thing I can read on immediately.
Author's reply
Y'know, it might easily have been Bergil... I hadn't thought of that, but the idea gives me chills. Luckily, perhaps, I have written Bergil as Elessar's liaison between his Kingdom and the Shire, which means he's either staying close to the King or visiting the Shire. He would not be likely to be conveying a message to Rivendell (though the possibility does exist; come to think of it, he's supposed to be conveying himself to Rivendell fairly soon – so yes, if I'd thought of that at the time I was writing the draft of this chapter, it might have been Bergil! Yikes!). He's one of the rare exceptions to the King's Edict since he's something of an honorary hobbit, as well as (or maybe because of being) considered part of Sam and Rosie's family.
Don't mind me. It's past midnight, and my brain is rambling and trying its best to convince me that it's no use typing at this moment. Good night.
demeter d
· 31 May 2026
· Chapter 27: By Some Curious Chance
"...laddie mine..." I am glad to see that I am not the only one who thinks that
there is something rather Irish about the Tooks. Part of the Shire, but at the same time apart on their own; just as Ireland and the rest of Britain have always seemed to me. And the mystical "gift" handed down from his Fathers; very "Irish".
Author's reply
You're not the only one!
(But am I, perhaps, the only one to see them as something of a blend between Welsh, Irish, and Scottish...? I don't know. The Welsh part crept in after my first visit to Wales in 2005. That soft, lilting accent... "O aye" fell so naturally into the conversation. I had, from the beginning of my fanfic adventure, incorporated Irish and Scottish traditions into my Shire and especially into my version of the Tooks. But the landscape (talk about high green hills!) and the history and the people of Wales opened a whole new door in my imagination.)
I love hearing similar impressions from others. The Tooks and their ponies and their music and storytelling and fierce independence... I agree, they feel quite "Irish" to me, at least in terms of the family stories handed down from my family's Irish roots.
Thanks for this lovely food for thought!
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 27: By Some Curious Chance
So, this is a gift handed down through the Tooks? An excellent one to have in such circumstances. Now what could have felled the horse's rider? Am glad all are ready for any danger ahead on the road.
Author's reply
I have to say, I wish I had some of the gifts I've written about. Ferdi and Rosemary's truth-sifting capacity would have come in quite handy in my earlier years. Ferdinand's, "Old" Ferdibrand's and "Young" Ferdibrand's ability to communicate with equines sounds wonderful, compared to the effort and concentration and endless practice involved in coming to understand and work with my difficult mare (whose previous owner, my trainer surmised, had been careless and neglectful at best and, quite possibly, abusive).
The next chapter is angsty and has been difficult (for that reason) to finalize, but I'm almost ready to post it.
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 26: Stone Trolls, Revisited
A good sign, this new willingness to learn more of and from Hobbits, such as Ferdi and the lads.
Author's reply
A friendship is being forged just as Pippin and Elessar anticipated, considering each one's knowledge of and appreciation for their respective cousins. Everyone is learning, even me.
Thanks!
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 25: Easier than Expected?
Some deep thoughts here from Ferdi, who's far older than he was when he brought Estella from hiding in the Woody End to the Tooklands. A good reason to find him thoughtful. Holdoron is definitely learning from Farry's uncle.
Author's reply
Ferdi is older, as well as wiser. (The two don't always coincide, I find... but in Ferdi's case, they do.)
Both Man and Hobbit are learning about each other's peoples and customs and preferences, and both are wise enough to set aside long-held prejudices and presumptions as a result. If only more people IRL were inclined to do the same...
(Thanks!)
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 24: Into the Trollshaws
And now they are truly following in Frodo's experiences, feeling the horrors....
Love the atmosphere of this chapter.
Author's reply
Oh, I'm so glad it works!
I guess Faramir's insistence on "authenticity" is paying off, at least in this instance.
(Thanks!)
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 23: Similarities and Differences
Humor is relative, after all. And Faramir Took is proving his heritage from his father. As I remember it, this "short cut" was anything but quicker than going by the road.
Author's reply
I remember being struck by commonalities and differences in humor between cultures some time ago. It was interesting to try and work out how Men and Hobbits would differ in the area of humor, and why.
Thank you for your raft of lovely reviews! I will hope to come back another day and answer more of them, but I've run out of energy for this particular day, so I'm going to close the laptop and spend the rest of the evening listening to the cooking show on TV that Eldest is watching.
Cheers!
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 22: The Last Bridge
A shocking thing, to be so high above rushing water, and especially for Ferdi. At least Pip-lad hasn't his father's more common Harfort fears. As I remember, Pippin was the quickest and surest crossing the rope bridge in Lorien, so I can understand how Farry would wish to be lifted up to see.
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 21: 'We'll (not) cross that Road when we come to it...'
A difficult concept to appreciate. One that obviously struck a deep chord in Haldoran's memory.
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 20: Interlude on a Hilltop
No, this is not the same journey at all, is it? But then, each journey is its own adventure, with its own joys and dangers. Farry is having to grow up on this one, much like his father did on the Quest.
Larner
· 11 April 2026
· Chapter 19: Trudge to the Ford, Day 3
A painful lesson for more than just Pippin-lad. Faramir is learning useful lessons in what leadership should mean.
Excellent chapter!
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 18: Trudge to the Ford, Day 1
Well, of course it looks different to Frodo's descriptions. After all, midsummer is far different than mid-October as far as growth and foliage are concerned.
I'm glad that Haldoran is mindful of Ferdi's possible feelings, although most likely Ferdi would take no offense.
I just hope that there are no trolls hiding in the Troll-shaws.
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 17: A Long-Expected Party
I'm not surprised that Haldoran woke in such a manner. At least they got the meal right. Am so glad that the young healer was there. He was definitely in the right place at the right time. At least he made sure that Haldoran got the aid he needed.
Love the description of the two "tables." Good food, and plenty of it would definitely assist Ferdi in his recovery.
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 16: A Knife in the Dark
PTSD can be a terrible experience to survive. To know that Ferdi is one of those Halmir and the son of Elrond saved so long ago would be hard on Haldoron. At least he managed to use his knowledge and memories to heal Ferdi now.
Bless both the older Hobbit and the Man, both of whom will need such blessings as they recover from their experience.
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 15: Down in the Dell
A fun habit, as it was rampant in my family as well.
Again, an interesting comparison between the habits of Men and Hobbits when traveling abroad. I'm with Ferdi as to preference for hot rather than cold meals.
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 14: Weathertop
Quite the discussion. Am glad that Pippin-lad has so much knowledge of the older Hobbits' journey, and can imagine it in his mind's eye as well as he can. It is helpful both to Ferdi and to Haldoran, while Robin is internalizing it all.
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 13: And What D'you Think He Saw?
Seeing true mountains would be quite the shock to one who's never been outside the Shire. I'm glad that Ferdi has this experience.
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 12: What Makes a Hobbit a Hobbit?
An excellent question to be asked. Hadn't thought of the classism of the Shire compared to the more egalitarianism of Bree as apparent in the books, but it's an interesting thought. Poor Haldoron--he is realizing just how little he knows about Hobbits, isn't he? Even Sam had no idea as to how much he was capable of being when he began studying his letters under Bilbo and later Frodo.
Larner
· 10 April 2026
· Chapter 11: 'Nothing further happened...'
A wonder, the words of tweens having such magic. And of course it was Pippin-lad who wanted no more trouble on the night he went into the bog. An interesting conversation--and coincidence (if it IS a coincidence, of course).
Fimbrethel
· 27 January 2026
· Chapter 27: By Some Curious Chance
Cool! How did I miss this? I like how they waved to the messenger and how Pippin sang a reendition of the troll song.
And now we come to actual trouble! drum roll...
Author's reply
I'm always glad to hear about something you like in a chapter! Very heartening.
You're right, trouble is on the horizon.
Thanks!