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| The Way Home by Lindelea | 9 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/28/2025 |
| All he can think about is "his" hobbits. Author Reply: "His" hobbits have taken up residence in a corner of his heart, and so he carries them wherever he goes. I'm sure they help him to keep on going, as well. (I find the mention of hobbits lifts my spirits quite effectively, for my own part!) Thanks so much for reading and pausing to leave a good word. | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 4/28/2025 |
| Bless these Voices, and the memories that will give lightness to Bill's thoughts. Author Reply: His hobbits are so much a part of him now, it seems only right that they should accompany him on this perilous journey, if only in his mind and memory. I'm glad of the Voices, too. While an animal might naturally be able to make its way homeward through unfamiliar territory, these are especially dangerous times in Middle-earth. Thanks so much for coming along on the journey and pausing to share your thoughts! | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/26/2025 |
| It appears that the words of guard and guiding, as Gandalf put it, will accompany Bill all the way back to Bree, whatever his route there ends up being. They will speak to him as often as necessary. Author Reply: That time frame made sense to me, from the way Gandalf described the words he'd bestowed, including "wherever you wish to go" and "quite as much chance of ... getting home as we have". Of course, the "quite as much chance" doesn't seem at all like a sure thing! Still, I'm glad Gandalf took the time and thought to do what he could for Bill. Thanks for reading and pausing to share your thoughts! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 4/25/2025 |
| Perhaps I am not completely alone after all. Dear Bill. That thought will make his journey home more bearable. Author Reply: "You are not alone" is a good reminder for every person, I think. (((hugs))) | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/19/2025 |
| "Oh my dearest Sam. Where might you be now? I would follow if I could..." So heartbreaking the way he keeps thinking that. Even though he's better off not knowing and not following. Author Reply: Poor Bill. He'd probably jump down a dragon's throat for Sam. Or the pony equivalent of what Sam would dod for Frodo. But he's got his own row to hoe, as Sam would say. And we know we can look forward to a reunion because the original text says so! (That is the only reason I could write the story, actually...) Thanks! | |
| Lady Forlong | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/19/2025 |
| I always wondered why he didn't go to Rivendell instead of Bree. Shorter distance, better place, and he would have been reunited with "his Sam" even sooner. Gandalf had even suggested it. Oh well, I'm along for the "ride" anyway (no pun intended). I don't usually read stories until they're finished, but I had to make an exception for this one. Author Reply: I also found it puzzling that he didn't go to Rivendell. Ah, well, hopefully this story will offer a plausible explanation... Thanks! | |
| demeter d | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/19/2025 |
| I think that you have found a very good interpretation of "words of guard and guiding". I very much liked the image in the end of Part One when Bill remembers images of green safe places that they have passed on their journey so far. He thinks that if he could only find the places which looked like that he would find his way. I have been faithfully following the last few chapters since I last reviewed. But any more, I put on the read aloud function on Microsoft Edge and listen to chapters as I do kitchen chores before I go to work. After work other family members and I share this lap-top, and it is time for making dinner. So, unless I have a day off and am home alone, I have not been typing so much lately. But do know I have been continuing your newly resumed journeys with you, Dear Author. I appreciate all who continue to support this Stories of Arda "family"! Author Reply: It's so good to hear from you! Thanks for your thoughts on "words of guard and guiding"; it took me a long time before an idea came to me that felt right. Like you, I listen to audiobooks when I'm doing home chores. I used to be able to use my phone's built-in screen reader to listen to fanfic, but they changed the way it worked and I never quite got the hang of the "improved" function. The shared laptop also sounds very familiar. (Insomnia used to come in very handy for typing in fanfic chapters...) I'm spoiled now to have a laptop of my own. At least, it feels that way. It was my work laptop, but now that I'm retired, the laptop, too, gets to have a bit of fun, in a manner of speaking. (Fanfic never crashes the beastie the way academic editing did sometimes, LOL. The load seems to be much lighter.) I'm so glad to hear you're still reading. (((hugs))) | |
| KathyG | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/19/2025 |
| And so, Bill begins his journey back to Bree, though he doesn't know it yet! How will this journey go, en-route? To what places will he end up before he reaches Bree? How will he fare in the process? It'll be interesting to find out! Author Reply: It's really good to know he makes it to Bree in one piece. That "skinny as a rail" is a bit worrisome, though. Along with the news that wolves were howling around the fences near Bree that winter, and dark shapes in the woods... It's a wonder the pony made it to his destination! (Good thing he had those words of guard and guiding, I guess.) Thanks! | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 4/19/2025 |
| As if drawn by a rope I cannot see, I begin to walk That's a wonderful line. It's comforting to know that Bill's journey alone -- and yet not-alone -- will eventually end well for him. Author Reply: I'm so glad to hear from you! Apologies for the delay in replying. For some reason, I thought I'd replied, but my reply apparently didn't save properly. Bill needs no rope if he's following his Sam... I think by this point their hearts have become tied together. Thanks so much for reading and pausing to share your thoughts! | |