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A Small and Passing Thing by Lindelea	6 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 4/22/2023
At least the lesson appears to have been learned. Now, to realize whom he truly wants as a wife!

FantasyFan	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 10/16/2003
So ends the courtship of Rose. You know, I re-read the first few chapters of Jewels the other day, and I'm not sure what you've written here fits real smoothly with what's in the earlier (later? tenses get so difficult) story. Merry mentions wooing Rose one more time, after his illness. Does his close call scare Sam into not wasting any more time? Jewels doesn't give details, which I suppose is good right now, but I'm wondering how it will all fit together. It was good to see Freddy at the wedding in that story, I'd forgotten he was there. I've got very mixed feelings about what Freddy said to Merry. Especially after a tongue-lashing from Frodo, Freddy's "not with my sister" effectively drives Merry right out of the door. Had he not said that, would Merry's teasing have given a relationship an early chance to develop, hard as it might have been for Stella to smile and tease back? But then, had things not happened the way they did, how different would have been key events that shaped Pippin's character? By the way, did Freddy react the way he did because he knew of his parent's arrangement with the Thain? Or because it would be much more believable for Merry to be actually courting a lass from a gentle-born family than the daughter of a farmer, and so what might only be teasing would not be viewed as such by others, and generate an unwelcome sort of gossip? Hearing that Stella has feelings for Merry really changes the interior dynamic of some of the later chapters of Jewels. Her motivation for suggesting a foursome picnic, for example, is sublty different, and her entire rejection of the planned marriage becomes much cleverer. Not in a cold and calculating way, of course, as through Merry's entire romance with Ruby (actually, right until he speaks to her) there's never a hint of impropriety on her part. Indeed, Merry hasn't even noticed she's grown up. Oh, it also makes the line "That's Estella Bolger?!?" funnier, when you think of Merry remembering Estella as 'Twig' with wild cropped hair, and 'Tillie' in her homespun and kerchief. Author Reply: You know, after finally resolving the problem of Estella's age in Jewels (what I mean is, figuring out how to re-write the thing with her proper age, without blurring her character in my mind -- which would have made it impossible to write her in any future stories), Freddy's motivation came clear to me, where it was sort of background (as in, something in the back of my mind as I was writing), and so I can answer your question better than I might've at the time you posted this review. (And I cannot believe that I did not answer it at the time; what was I thinking? I've been certain, over the years, that I answered every single review, for they are like fuel to the fire so far as the Muse is concerned; she is much more tractable when given feedback along with the chocolate and pina coladas...) Freddy knows his sister is promised. He may even know the particulars about the arrangement, but has sense enough to keep it to himself. I've written him as a shrewd judge of character, and so it seems very possible, indeed likely, that he's completely aware of Estella's feelings towards Merry, even as he knows she wouldn't be marrying a Brandybuck (since he himself was supposed to marry one). For some reason I imagined the Bolgers to be a bit more formal about marriage arrangements than some of the other great families. Perhaps some astute forefather was a breeder of fine ponies or dogs and noticed that inbreeding led to defects, and so determined that family bloodlines would also benefit from some variety... Does that sound too cold and calculating? However, such a thing might result in a patriarch or matriarch dictating that their children must marry into different families for whatever reason. (Suddenly my train of thought derails and I must go off in search of protein.) In any event, I never saw this scene as mere protection of the proprieties on Freddy's part. He was definitely protecting Estella's feelings. Thanks! Author Reply: He may even know the particulars about the arrangement Never mind. I just found, reading a little further, that he didn't know the particulars of the arrangement right now, as he says he even thought it might have been Frodo at one time. Unless he was being exceptionally cagey... After all, he says something in the conversation about wondering if the "problem" with the arranged marriage was Frodo's disappearance -- and Pippin disappeared at the same time.

Anso	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 10/16/2003
Thank you for yet a wonderful story! Please make Merry take himself off o bed soon, or he will be no good to either Buckland or his cousins and friends, and just make himself sick. Thank goodness that Frodo took him to task. I feel so sorry for Sam, stubborn as he is. Merry really ought to know better. I also like the comforting, caring Frodo. It is nice to see an after-quest story with that side of him in the spotlight. Author Reply: A very, very late reply as I revisit this story for background in writing something new. (And belated, fervent thanks.) I like to think of Frodo as a well-rounded person -- the hobbit that Bilbo called the best in the Shire, if I'm remembering right. After all, his character was shaped for 33 years before he got the Ring, and he fought its influence and did not let it change his essence, who he truly was. It may have burned away almost all of his senses, towards the end (when he said he had no recollection of the Shire, or the taste of strawberries, naked in the dark, and only the wheel of fire before his eyes), but it could not corrupt his core. He was driven to the end of himself at the very end, when he could no longer resist and put it on his finger, but I still don't think it changed him. The loss of the Ring tore a gaping hole, I think, that nothing else could fill, but he was still, essentially, Frodo afterwards. Battered, wounded in body and spirit, but still Frodo. (Kind of reminds me of Galadriel, saying she remained herself in refusing the Ring, that she would diminish and go into the West. Frodo was diminished, but not changed.) I hope this finds you well.

Miriel	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 10/15/2003
Thank goodness that Frodo finally told Merry to stop torturing poor Sam! I know they compared him to Pippin, but honestly, I can't see Pippin ever going that far...Poor Rose! Poor Estella, as well. I felt like cheering when Freddy told Merry not to tease his sister. Thank you for that! I haven'y read "Jewels" for a while, but I thought that Merry saw Estella for the first time in years right before he found out that she was engaged to Pippin. Am I mistaken, or is a revision in order. (If not, that's fine too. I just love that way that this one is going so far!) Wonderful. I wish that all my drafts turned out this well. :) Cheers! Author Reply: Well, yes and no. Merry saw Estella for the first time in years right before he found out she was engaged to Pippin... as in noticed that she'd grown up, and into a pretty lass, not just Freddy's cheeky and pesky little sister. I think it is about five years from the setting of this story to when Merry first sees Estella in "Jewels", which is time enough for her to "grow up" a little. As I recall, Pippin marries Diamond seven years after returning to the Shire, and in "Jewels" there was a two year engagement after the handfasting, so yes, I think it works out to five years... with the pandemonium in the background it is hard to think. It's no wonder i get my best writing done late at night when it's quiet!

	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 10/15/2003
I've just discovered Stories of Arda, and it looks like I've hit a mithril vein! So many talented and knowledgeable writers! It even feels cozy, as opposed to the vast ff.net. I am enjoying this tale immensely. 'Twas dark at first, but just like the title claims, was "a small and passing thing", making the light in later chapters brighter. And Fredegar! I'm so glad somebody sat down and took an interest in the fellow! He's always perked my curiosity. Most seem to take him for a placid homebody, but I was certain there had to be more to him. After all, he was a trusted member of the Conspiracy, and later, an active rebel! Wonderful to see your take on that. Such cheekiness in this chapter (sighs Merry, Merry...)! I love the quick-witted, familiar banter, and the abundance of nicknames! "Midge" in particular suits Estella and seems to hint at days when she was the excitable, pesty tag-along! Oh, and speak of the poor girl...I think Merry's been looking at her for so long, he doesn't truly see her! Oh the torment of unrequited love! smirks Well, we'll just have to fix that... Looking forward to your next post! Malva Brandybuck of Haysend (or so I'm told....) Author Reply: So you're told? Methinks there is a tale there... Thanks for the thoughtful review. You're right, the evil will turn out to be a small and passing thing in the long run, but it is painful to be in the middle of it. Freddy has always interested me. He chose to stay behind, but then he led a band of rebels, not something you'd expect from a stick-at-home. "Estella" has kind of grown out of a previous story ("Jewels", not yet here at SoA but posted elsewhere in pre-beta form), and her portrayal in this story is a logical extension of what she became later. It is so interesting to pursue consistency, yet growth, in characters, and still keep everything as close to "canon" as possible. I have erred in a few places, most notably in Estella's age (I misread her birthdate while researching... and so I pretend that it was a misprint in the first place. Ah well.) It was nice to hear from you, Malva!

Janice P.	Reviewed Chapter: 34 on 10/15/2003
I've been reading all your stories. It's too bad so many are unfinished, but I really, really enjoy what is here. I can see that your proofreaders and editors are doing a careful and thorough job. Your added or expanded characters (Ferdi the Fox, Merimac the Badger, Estella, Diamond, and Faramir & Goldilocks). I find the level of horrific detail perfect - not the nitty-gritty graphic details, but enough to truely understand what the character(s) are going through. I hope you continue to finish your many stories and will keep watch for more. I may leave idividual reviews at particular chapters or stories... Thanks for sharing your wonderful imagination. I have always felt the Shire bits of LOTR are the best bits, and I greatly enjoy learning more of what "might have" happened. Janice Author Reply: Thanks for reviewing! I also hope to finish more of the stories, plodding along at the rate of a chapter or two a day (writing, that is. There are quite a few chapters already piled up and waiting for editing, but I have to be patient, for my editor has a life outside of fanfic. Go figure). Whew. Writing is so time-consuming! I shall pass your kudos on to my proofreader/editor, who gets very little recognition and likes to remain anonymous. Glad the detail is not too horrific! There are quite a few more finished stories, it just takes time to get them up here. ("Merlin" is an example. Finished, beta'd, just have to find the time to post it along with the ones to which readers expect regular updates) Please do continue to review, you may not realise how encouraging reviews are to me and the other authors who post here.

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