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| The Way Home by Lindelea | 327 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 87 on 9/19/2026 |
| After a brief eternity, the earth seems to tremble beneath me, and then the merest hint of a breeze caresses my cheek, as if the Bree-land itself has released its pent-up breath in a sigh. That's a marvelous way to transition from one Age to the next. What a story, my friend! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 86 on 9/17/2026 |
| So it's happened and so far, Bill is clueless. Gotta wonder what those evil shapes in the fog are all about, but I expect the dark clouds will get blown away soon now. And everyone will probably feel better and not know why. Author Reply: I imagined that half-orcs made up part of the ruffian force plaguing Bree, and that's why their shapes/smell reminded Bill of the shapes in the trees in the Chetwood. And everyone will probably feel better and not know why. They'll probably chalk it up to the fact that the robbers no longer have the nerve to attack the fortified towns or any activity protected by armed guards, even though some continue to lurk in the woods to waylay unwary travelers. They won't know about anything happening in the Outer World until much later, as things stand. Why, they don't even know that the King has come back! (Or will be coming back sometime soon, now that he's accomplished his destiny and saved the world and all that, with the help of a few friends, of course.) Author Reply: p.s. Thanks! | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 86 on 9/17/2026 |
| Whoa! It's happening, isn't it? This is it! Author Reply: You're right! It's happening! This is it! (Thanks!) | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 86 on 9/17/2026 |
| the seeds tucked into their bed of soil could use more of a drink than the relative sips that morning dew and mist will provide That's such lovely imagery. Oh my, here we go! I hope no one has been badly injured in this galloping and crashing. Author Reply: No deaths on the part of townsfolk, I'm glad to say, though there are some injuries. Whew. But clear sailing from here on out, and lots of fluff! Thanks! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 85 on 9/13/2026 |
| At this rate, I'm guessing he'll see the end of it all, but I'm wondering what he'll make of it. Author Reply: Poor Bill. Things are quite confusing at the moment. He may not understand everything until Gandalf returns to Bree and explains to him in person... Thanks! | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 85 on 9/13/2026 |
| Hey, how did that happen??!! I start to type a review, and it gets posted before I've even gotten past the first word! Is this it, then? Is this the victory, when the Ring is destroyed, and Sauron, too? Or is that still pending? Author Reply: I don't know how such things happen! (Sometimes I'll manage to hit a combination of keys that posts a review twice, so maybe it was something like that.) I removed the abruptly-cut-off review. We are in the middle of the final efforts of the Ring-bearer, his faithful Companion, and the dreadful shadow that has followed them to the end. The next chapter (just posted) provides a time clue at the end. The chapter after that will provide more time clues mixed into Bill's narrative that, hopefully, will tie all the timelines (The Black Gate, Mount Doom, Bree) together. We're so close! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 85 on 9/12/2026 |
| I see my Sam look up as if he hears my warning I love that idea. Ohhhh, the glorious end to the Darkness is nearly here! I wonder if Bill will be able to soar with the Eagle carrying his Sam. Author Reply: Unfortunately, Bill's connection to Sam comes by way of the power of the Ring. When the Ring goes into the Fire... I'm afraid Bill will be left guessing. At least until a certain glorious reunion takes place... Thanks! I appreciate hearing your thoughts. I am so glad that we're almost there! (But alas, poor Frodo. And poor Sam. And even, poor Gollum.) | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 84 on 9/7/2026 |
| Just another day indeed! March 25 -- Today is the day. Always darkest before the dawn. It's going to be interesting to see if Bill feels anything when it finally happens. The best part is that Bill's beloved Sam will be on his way home now. Author Reply: Today is the day! I want to shout the news from the rooftop, but since I'm leery of heights, that's not going to happen. (My neighbors would also be quite puzzled, I'm sure.) That said, Butterbur gave no indication to the returned Travellers that anything special had happened the previous spring. I don't think he even knew that Saruman had arrived in the Shire about a month earlier, or that the Shire's problems were actually much worse than Bree's troubles! (I wonder if Saruman passed through Bree on his way to the Shire, or did he come up through the South Farthing?) As I mentioned in another review reply, Bill may well be the only Bree-lander to be aware of unusual happenings on this noteworthy day. (Will any of the other ponies or horses believe him if he tries to tell them about it? I wonder.) Thanks! | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 84 on 9/6/2026 |
| Hmm!! Will Eagles be sent to tell Bree of Sauron's passing, as they were sent to Minas Tirith to give the same message? Author Reply: I had actually considered that possibility, but on re-reading what Butterbur told the Travellers on their return to Bree, I don't think such a noticeable thing happened. Thus, as you'll read in the next chapter, the signs of Sauron's fall are subtle. It's quite possible that Bill (because of his connection to Sam and Frodo through the power of the Ring, as well as his connection the Gandalf through the Voices) may be the only creature who has a clue as to what is happening elsewhere in the world, and even Bill does not know the whole story. I also considered the possibility of a messenger arriving from Dale with word of the attacks on Mirkwood, Dale and Erebor. But I couldn't make the timing work. So the Bree-landers are on their own, pretty much, with little idea of what is going on elsewhere. And of course, since that fits with Butterbur's conversation with the Travellers, I think Bill's story will continue to fit into the original story fairly well, and I won't have to label it "AU". Whew! Thanks! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 84 on 9/4/2026 |
| How delightful that the Voices are still with our stalwart Bill, who grows more insightful every day. Author Reply: In the Professor's mentions of Bill after the Travellers' return, the pony sounds both wise and humble. Thus, "insightful" fits, I think! Thanks so much for reading and pausing to leave your encouraging thoughts. | |