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| Truth by Lindelea | 47 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Miriel | Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 10/20/2003 |
| Wondreful ending, full of things to come! The rest of Farry and Goldi's story ought to be most interesting, indeed. Although their coupling is fine with their parents, how will the other hobbits react? Especially the Tooks? *Shudder* and the other hobbits who will think that Goldi is marrying above her station. Frodo and (Was it Daisy? Don't ahve time to go back and look) should have an easy time of it. They deserve ti, after all that they have been through. Congrats for a story well-done! Author Reply: Thank you for the warm review! Yes, it's Daisy, and their wedding will be in the sequel, which is outlined but not written. It is supposed to be a comedy, a relief from all the angst I've been writing lately. I must admit, I haven't given any thought to Farry-Goldi in the sequel, yet, have been busy setting all the other threads in place (Merry Brandybuck, Merry Gamgee, Merry (Meri) Took...). One reviewer mentioned it might be fun to have Goldi and Hodge spend some time together, to draw out the readers' suspense. Hmmm. They say that every wedding is a comedy in the making. Yep, I'm pretty sure that's right. At least, this one is... Of course, Frodo and Daisy are so happy, I don't think they notice all the mishaps and mayhem around them. | |
| Miriel | Reviewed Chapter: 23 on 10/16/2003 |
| I'm so so glad that Goldi and Farry finally get to see each other, although it is a shame that Goldi didn't know before the picinic that it was alright with her parents to court Farry. One more chapter, correct? I shall be sad to see this story go! (BTW, spanish is awful, thank you for asking. Your story is "muy bien!":) Author Reply: One more chapter, correct. I have enjoyed the story as well. It wrote itself nicely with very little effort on my part, as opposed to "Runaway" which made me feel as if I was pulling my hair out! At least we can hope for a sequel someday! Gracias! Hasta la vista! | |
| Miriel | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/14/2003 |
| Hooray! I'm so glad that Goldi and Farry have finally gotten to see each other. *Lets out huge sigh* Thank goodness for the nosiness of the Thain! I liked the way they were oh-so-dignified--until they got out of hearing distance, of course. Lovely, simply lovely. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/14/2003 |
| I had to go check the chapter heading to make sure this wasn't the ending of the story, as it wraps up so nicely that it sounded like it could be. So Sam got the job of talking to Rosie, on this and other topics. Wonder what the other ones were? More talk of future plans? Leaving Bag End to Frodo wouldn't require much discussion, but there were probably things to set up for the other kids. Somehow I imagine Sam would avoid talking to Rosie about sailing West when she was gone. Merry-lad, Pippin-lad and Robin's discussion makes it plain that the whole family knows how Sam and Pippin had conspired to keep Farry and Goldi apart. The picinc is a gentle way to lift Goldi's ban, and surprising both of them is a typical Pippin-trick. I suspect he's not wasting any time so as not to give Sam any chance to change his mind. I can see Goldi running to Elanor afterwards to make sure she knows what it all means. Ferdi is back to his normal suave, sophisticted self. I imagine the vulnerability he showed in the previous chapter emerges only rarely, and only with very few people. Ensuring Goldi is properly decorative is his kind of touch. The picnic scene is very pretty. Good thing hobbits eat a lot, so they need two baskets! And how nice for Goldi and Farry, that they can start out as 'always friends.' A nice, sweet beginning. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 21 on 10/11/2003 |
| There is quite a mix of emotions in this chapter. The general merriment continues at the Smials with the lifting of Frodo's ban. Farry, however, doesn't see much to be happy about. Goldi has learned 'be strong' from her mother, it seems, and is trying to make the best of the situation. Its interesting to see their different approaches to the same problem. Farry's sulking, but that implies he hasn't given up wanting. Goldi maybe has more experience with not getting her way in things, and seems miserable but resigned. Pimpernell and Ferdi are in fine form. The puns are quite funny. Then there's Sam. I laughed and laughed, wondering what was going through Sam's head when Pippin asked for his daughter. Sam should have known better than to agree with Pippin in advance of knowing what he's agreeing to. Pip pleads his case very well, reminding Sam that Farry's got a secure position to look forward to (almost as good as 40 acres and a cow). And it's quite ironic that busybody interfering Frodo is now the cause of Farry and Goldi having a chance after all. I wonder, will Sam and Pippin hint to their kids that they've got a green light to explore a relationship together, or will they sit and wait for Farry and Goldi to do something, to show they're really interested in each other and ready to fight the status quo, and then just not object? And now that Pip and Sam have come to an agreement, who's going to tell Rose? I can see Farry sometime in the future, screwing himself up to fight Sam, threatening to renounce the Thainship and run with Goldi as far as Gondor if necessary: like a bull ready to charge the gate who stumbles over his own feet when the first push finds it unlocked. I hope they don't try to elope, sure of their families' disapproval, as it wouldn't be fair to deny everyone the joy of the wedding. Well, there's plenty of time for all that. Such a touchingly-written scene between Ferdi and Nell at the end. Gentle romance, and Ferdi is secure enough to drop the witty mask and let some pain bleed through. He has had many handicaps in his life - his early mistakes, the loss of his family and separation from his first love, an ill-deserved reputation and an unfair punishment, broken bones and mental anguish, and finally the blindness that would have broken a lesser hobbit. Every time he's risen above it with a stubbornness that rivals Pippin's. He's even used his blindenss to develop unique skills in service of the Thain. Never do we see self-pity, and even here it's only sadness for what cannot be. It's good to see him human, and sweet to know the deep love between Ferdi and his Nell. By the way, my daughter is making her way through your stories now. Maybe I can get her to put some of her thoughts in a review sometime. I hope your cold is getting better; I'm getting over one myself. Author Reply: Insightful character analysis, as usual. I differ only on one point: Farry is really not sulking, he just is doing his best to do what he thinks is expected of him. He's too honest to play a part and pretend that he can treat Goldi casually, so he buries himself in his food to avoid any kind of interaction at all. Part of Goldi's annoyance with her brothers is concern for Farry's feelings--she knows him so well! My cold is much better, thanks. Author Reply: PS, forgot to mention here, any opinions your daughter might care to share would be most welcome. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 20 on 10/9/2003 |
| It doesn't surprise me that Pippin's not part of the celebration at the Green Dragon. He's had his say already, and he knows how to work behind the scenes. The worthies of the Shire will be discussing this for a year and a day, but now is not the time for Pip to get asked a bunch of questions. Instead, he's setting things up with the Ted Sandyman. He says just enough to Ted to keep the conversation going. I wonder if Ted realizes, as he pulls out painful memories, that the Thain he is talking to is one of those "bright young cousins of Mr. Baggins?" Pippin is really very different by this time, and has learned wisdom and leadership by hard lessons. Ted has overcome his anger and jealousy with hard lessons and pain of his own, yet he continues to pay for his shortsightedness through his sons. Perhaps someone generous will buy the mill, and Hodge can stay behind to run it if he wishes (hints). You would hate to see him punished with the rest of the family, and it would give you a chance to tease us with a Goldi/Hodge romance for a while. If Ted takes Ned to the territories, I suppose neither one can return, but that is one way to end the feud for good. Ted will have to work pretty hard to make Ned understand the necessity of the move, and the mercy underlying the punishment. Really, I always thought Pippin was the most softhearted of them all. Author Reply: Pardon me for this short reply but I have a co'd in the head and am toddling off to bed soon. You have written another lovely character analysis. I will take your hinting under consideration; after all, there is a sequel to this story in existence, in rough outline at least, wanting lots of details to be filled in. Do you really enjoy such torture? *g* | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/7/2003 |
| Let the party begin! Pippin never wanted all that gold anyway, and its a good thing since Ferdi's got him buying a round for all the inhabitants of Hobbiton, Bywater and Overhill. I hope he brought plenty with him! I had to laugh at Ferdi and Regi, but he's right, it seems like a good idea. There will be a chance to put rumors to rest, and start some talk of a more helpful variety. Plus I hope we'll see another reunion, since Daisy and her family are right in the thick of it. When Fastred and Elanor come up, they're going to be confused at the least. Pip was at his splendiferous best lifting the ban on Frodo. I could just about hear him rolling the rrrrr's in Gardener. I think if he hadn't been Thain, he would have made a good traveling entertainer - standup comedy and song (I imagine him with a lovely tenor voice). I imagine if Ferdi hadn't reminded everyone he didn't need the money, he could have passed the hat at that moment and made himself a bundle. The people of the Shire love their Thain, and for him to publicly admit his error, and admit it with such undisguised glee, I am sure makes them love him all the more. Now he'll have to move into his next profession, campaign manager, and make sure his favorite Mayor doesn't suffer at re-election time. I'm glad Shirriff Nod got a chance to make his apologies, and Frodo to forgive him. He's really not a bad shirriff, he's just had a run of ill luck lately. I wonder if any of the Sandyman family was at the announcement? If so, they're probably the only glum faces in the whole place. Ferdi's in a good mood, Pippin's in a good mood, all the hobbits getting free beer are going to be charmed by a spontaneous party, and the proprietor of the Green Dragon has to be overjoyed. It's a happy sort of release of tension, but I know you've got a few loose ends left to tie up, and probably a trick or two left up your sleeve. Ned will have to be dealt with, of course, and the aforementioned reunions, but there are five more chapters to go so pretty much anything could still happen. Perhaps at the end they could all sit down to a nice chicken dinner. (smile) Author Reply: travelling entertainer, yes, I do believe Pip missed his calling. Imagine him travelling about Gondor, amazing the inhabitants with sleights of hand and picking up all those complimentary mugs of beer. In this chapter, you’ll see a couple of loose ends tied up, but of course there are a few more. A chicken dinner? Wicked sense of humour... | |
| Miriel | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 10/7/2003 |
| I love Pippin's way of doing things. Of course he can't just quietly lift the ban, he must make a big production of it! LOL! I'm so glad that the Burrows got to be there to see it. I bet Daisy is a very happy girl right about now! I loved Ferdi taking such liberties with the Thain's pocketbook; very funny. Now that this is over, we shall hear tell of Goldi! Hurrah! Author Reply: I do believe that the last few chapters will deal mostly with Goldi's story. That is only fair and right, since she started out the story, originally, and kind of got shoved in the cupboard by another plot point. Ferdi usually knows just how far to go, and manages not to step over that line. Most of the time. | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/6/2003 |
| I could swear I only missed one day of looking at stories, but I find I have three to review. I love it! As it seems that bad news travels much faster than good, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole Shire knows about Frodo's shunning, before a full day has yet passed. So I think Pippin has the right of it when he wants the lifting of the Ban to be even more public than the shunning was. He seems to have quite a flair for ceremony and dramatics, even adding a gag to complete the picture of Frodo's disgrace. I'm a bit curious to hear what the precedent was that he remembers from the dusty records. It could be interesting if it involved familiar names (or at least their ancestors). Will Elanor and Fastred arrive in Bywater in time for the festivities? I have a feeling they will not be keeping silent, from the grim demeanor Fastred exhibits. He's gotten to know the measure of Frodo, and not found him wanting. Hopefully, they won't disturb the little extravaganza Pippin's planned. Sam's got a basic faith that Pippin knows what he's doing. I think he's still in a bit of shock anyway. But the silence is deafening from Rose and all the Gamgees piled into the wagon. When to speak, and when to keep silent? At various times in this story, Farry, Goldi, Hilbert, Frodo, Sam, Ferdi, Pippin and now the rest of the Gamgees have been silenced: some by circumstance, and some against their will. Ned has both spoken when he shouldn't and keep quiet when he should have spoken up. Daisy has been brave and foolish, to speak when no one else would. The talk has been loud and quick in the lanes, but no one will talk to Elanor at the Smials. Words have the power to heal or hurt, to divide or unite. Pippin's words have the power to part a family forever, but then so do Sam's. Frodo will now get the chance to 'speak' at Yule, and create a family of his own. Perhaps everyone by the end of this story will be more careful of their words, knowing how it feels when they are taken away. In that vein I'd like to say, I think your stories are wonderful, and thank you for writing and sharing them with us. Author Reply: You have taken the time for another lovely, long, thoughtfully written review! You spoil me (don’t stop! Being spoilt is such fun!). You are right, Pippin certainly has a flair for the dramatic. Wonder what he would have become, had he not become Thain? Your comments on speaking and silence were very insightful. One of the definitions I have for “meek” is “knowing when to be silent and when to speak”. Would you say hobbits, as a rule, fit this description? | |
| Miriel | Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2003 |
| Fastred is very sharp, catching things in people's tones and looks that might otherwise go unnoticed. How sad for Elanor to hear that! (And it's sad for me, knowing that she doesn't know the whole story!) I'm glad that things are straightened out with Frodo, although I hate seeing him bound. But, that is the hobbit way. Thank you for another great read! Keep up the good work! Author Reply: Fastred is very sharp; after all, I wrote him to be a hunter, like Ferdi. He’d have to be sharp anyhow, or how would he go from obscurity to Warden of Westmarch in a few short years? I had to keep reminding myself that he must prove himself in a relatively short time. You are welcome, and thanks for the encouragement! | |