Grey Wonderer
· 12 February 2004
· Chapter 5: Just Before Elevenses (Part 2)
Earthquake! Now that is a very big disaster. Weddings never go well do they? I wonder why everyone doesn't just give up and elope. Much easier! Wonder if the quake got Tuckborough as well? Next chapter?
Author's reply
No, previous chapter, actually. That was the part seen through Meliloc Brandybuck's eyes (he was at the Great Smials, which I have chosen to locate near Tuckborough. I don't think JRRT specified, did he?). You'll see more of the Great Smials in chapter 7.
Thanks for reviewing!
Hai
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 6: Just Before Elevenses (Part 3)
Uh-oh, Fasterd is inviting trouble by wondering what could top the excitement they just lived through! I hope Rose is okay, getting hot water spilled on her leg! Looking forwar to finding out hoe everyone else fares during this shake! Thank you!
Author's reply
You're welcome! And thank you, in return, for reading and pausing long enough to share your thoughts.
Lyta Padfoot
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 6: Just Before Elevenses (Part 3)
Snickers at the ME equivalent of the red sock in among the whites. Loved the dialog about the baby between Leotred and Rose, very cute.
Author's reply
"red sock in among the whites" is exactly the kind of thing I was thinking of! LOL!
shirebound
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 5: Just Before Elevenses (Part 2)
Holy smokes, what have you done to the Great Smials? I'll be anxiously waiting for Chapter 6. (And VERY clever about the black powder, and Gandalf leaving the secret with King Elessar. VERY clever. *Applauds*)
Author's reply
(elvis|hobbit voice) Thankyou, thankyouverymuch!
I cannot imagine Middle-earth without fireworks, can you? I actually used the black powder in an earlier series of stories: FireStorm/Striking Sparks/Flames. Hit on the idea when discussing with a friend how hobbits might have put out wildfires, with the technology they had, and she told me how they'd set firebreaks out West using gunpowder or something very like it.
And in "FireStorm" (before he became Thain) Pippin did mention wishing for a good earthquake to come along... guess you ought to be careful what you wish for...
Thanks for reviewing! Feedback sure helps in writing, doesn't it? (Which reminds me, I need to get back to the puppy story...)
Lyta Padfoot
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 5: Just Before Elevenses (Part 2)
About a hundred years ago there was an earthquake that made the Mississippi River flow backwards for a day, it also created an enormous lake. Faramir and Goldilocks definately picked an intersting date for their wedding. Considering what you said in "Merrys" about things going amiss, they are getting all their misfortune out of the way early!
Author's reply
They ought to have the most harmonious marriage in the history of hobbits, I think, considering how much things are going amiss! Thanks for reviewing! Am stoked to write another chapter (working on #7) after reading the reviews for chapter 5.
shirebound
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 1: Making Preparations
I'm finally getting a chance to read this story, and what a great start! I have to print out the rest to read at lunch today, but I'll report back when I've devoured the next chapters...
Author's reply
What a treat! Looking forward to hearing more...
FantasyFan
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 5: Just Before Elevenses (Part 2)
Berilac knows what's going on, and he's smart enough to put them under the sturdy desk. This is quite an earthquake, if it's that violent in both Tuckborough and Buckland. Some of the poorer hobbits in simple holes are going to have collapses, for sure. And there'll be flooding to deal with once the Brandywine sorts itself out. It's like Merry to think of Pippin right away. He's notifying the Thain, but just like when sickness came over the shire years ago, he doesn't think that other areas may be affected as well. At the Smials, Meliloc is certainly hurt, and the image of bodies tumbling through the air from the upper levels amid shards of glass is very disquieting. Pip's study is up there.
(Hey, maybe you can get rid of the stairs to the main door this way! Nothing like an earthquake to rearrange the architecture. That's a joke, by the way, like the comment about earthquake season. I have to tell people when I'm making a joke, cause I'm not very good at them and nobody ever gets them and then I look stupid.)
Author's reply
You and I fit well together--you say you cannot tell a joke and I am terrible at hearing one (my dh is now in the habit of saying "That was a joke" after telling one... poor dear). But then, he has that dry British humour...
Yes, it was quite an earthquake. The epicentre was between Tuckborough and the Brandywine, rather closer to Tuckborough. I don't think I'm giving away a plot point, saying this...
Berilac knows what is going on, having been trained as an engineer before he was tapped to become steward. I figure any professional delvers among hobbits would at least *know* about earthquakes, as part of their training, even if there had been no perceptible earthquakes in the Shire for hundreds of years.
Cuthalion
· 11 February 2004
· Chapter 5: Just Before Elevenses (Part 2)
Great story, lindelea! And thrilling - I can't wait to see what happens next! (Do you have any idea how many chapters will follow? I would be more than happy to put this on my long translation-list!
Author's reply
Oh, that would be lovely! It is much easier to practice my German-reading when I'm already familiar with the material!
I have no idea how many chapters, sorry. I have an outline (really more of a timeline) but it is not broken into chapters, simply events. Will let you know once the draft is finished.
Hai
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 4: Just Before Elevenses
Wow! An earth shake! I hope there wasn't too much damage! That coule be really bad! I hope all the engineers are okay, I suppose they got the worst of it! Looking forward to more, and it is wonderful to see Gimli and Legolas enter the story! Thank you!
Author's reply
Now that I have posted chapter 5 I can answer this without giving away plot points. Yes, the engineers are okay as they were all outside the diggings to be safe from the blast. No, they didn't get the worst of it.
Gimli and Legolas are fun, aren't they? I used to be so afraid of writing them, but they're getting easier the oftener we take tea together.
Thanks for reviewing!
Lyta Padfoot
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 4: Just Before Elevenses
Nice to see Legolas and Gimli in the Shire. I've been in several minor earthquakes, the word "quivered" certainly described what the ground was doing! So next are the aftershocks - both literal and metaphorical. As everyone who has ever been in an earthquake knows, they actually do the most damage since everything has been "softened up" already.
Author's reply
Have only been in minor earthquakes (thankfully) and have only read about big ones, or seen them on television, so please let me know if I make a gaffe.
I knew that rivers could run backwards, but little more than that... that lake that was formed when the Mississippi ran backwards, was it a permanent lake or a temporary one? What happened to boat traffic that was on the river at the time? And it really ran backwards for a whole day? Fascinating. I'd love to find more information on this, but haven't as yet. Got any suggestions?
Haven't quite got to the aftershocks yet, as the quake is happening differently in different places in the Shire, depending on how far people are from the epicenter. I could have made one huge chapter five times as big as one of my usual chapters, but such is so difficult to edit... takes such time to load... I split it into several parts instead.
Thanks for reviewing!
FantasyFan
· 10 February 2004
· Chapter 4: Just Before Elevenses
This is the second quake; the first being noticed by none but Ferdi. Clearly it was stronger at the new diggings than in the Southfarthing where Legolas and Gimli were. Is it likely that the blast had anything to do with the quake, or was it just coincidence of timing? I hope there were no hobbits caught in collapses. And I hope that Gimli helps somebody rethink the wisdom of digging during earthquake season. But I did like the farmer finding the bit of good in the quake.
It's wonderful to see Gimli and Legolas again. Are they expected for the wedding or is it a surprise visit? Legoals and Gimli are perfect examples of the way hobbits and their gentle ways just get under your skin. Of course, they were noble beings to start with, but Elves can tend towards aloofness, and dwarves towards truculence. Association with hobbits has such a mellowing effect! Legoals and Gimli have become very hobbity indeed, stopping for elevenses and worrying about arriving before tea. I don't know if you have brought them here for a specific plot point, but having non-hobbits in the Shire certainly creates a nice mirror for hobbit culture.
Author's reply
Actually, I don't think there is an earthquake season in England. My research turned up a handful of powerful earthquakes, widely scattered in history, which is why I could write the hobbits being bewildered as to what was happening. Everard with his training by the dwarves will know, of course, and those of the engineers who have been to the Lonely Mountain.
Though I doubt the Lonely Mountain dwarves have experienced earthquakes themselves, their kindred in the South undoubtedly have told them about such things.
Gimli and Legolas are invited for the wedding. I'd imagine Arwen and Elessar and Prince Faramir might be invited as well (at least a ceremonious invitation), but not sure the King would break his Edict so casually, not to mention the Thain who is in full agreement.
Sorry, I'm very distracted this morning, don't know if I'm making sense.
Author Reply: p.s. forgot to mention that the timing of the earthquake and the blast was mere coincidence
FantasyFan
· 8 February 2004
· Chapter 3: Sorting Out the Threads
It's nice to see all the old gang getting together again. Rose and Leotred, Elanor and Fastred, and all the kids. And Merry's and Pippin's broods as well - other than Ferry, we don't see much of them. I had to laugh when Miri wants to sit by the window -- is there a family anywhere that doesn't have this argument? There's just a little worry about having all the pople who are important to us together in the same place at the same time, in case something happens to them. And of couse, worry about Ferdi's health. Fastred will be upset to see how ill Ferdi has become, if Ferdi is able to attend the wedding at all. Anticipation is building, for the great day isn't far off.
Author's reply
Ah, yes, just like the standard disaster-movie opening. Get to know all the characters and bring them together into one place, then spring some sort of disaster, either natural or man-made, on them. Irwin Allen, where are you when I need you?
Actually, hoping to avoid the worst of the cliches. Still sorting out the fates of all the differing characters. What does this mean? You are not the only one wondering about the outcome! I know, of course, what'll happen to the major characters but all the supporting roles are still up in the air.
Hai
· 7 February 2004
· Chapter 3: Sorting Out the Threads
Maybe Leotred will be able to help find something wrong with Ferdi that can be cured! I liked Pippin's sons going to study! Looking forward to more, thank you!
Author's reply
There's a thought! Leotred to the rescue once more!
Lyta Padfoot
· 7 February 2004
· Chapter 3: Sorting Out the Threads
Here I was... getting ready to leave work (I am employed babysitting a campus computer lab which is why I get to read and write on the job :) when my 'new story/chapter antenae' popped up and told me to check SoA... and low and behold a new chapter of one of Lindelea's story. Loved the children, Miri sounds like my sister, hope we'll see more of her. Translating Elvish poetry? Is that the Shire equivalent of conjugating Latin verbs?
Faramir sounded very adult, but he is quite a few years older than his next sibling and is the one being groomed for the Thainship. Plus he's had those experiences chronicled in 'Runaway' etc. So Robin Bolger is the steward-in-training? Good choice on Pippin and Regi's part.
How many children do the Tooks and Brandybucks have? Pippin and Diamond have several, but I only recall reading about 2 for the Brandybucks.
Author's reply
Faramir is about to turn 33 and assume all the responsibilites of an adult. You're right, the next two in the family (Forget-me-not/Ruby and Merigrin) are eight years younger, I think. (Notes are not in front of me and I don't remember for sure)
Robin Bolger is the steward in training. I am not sure just what Merry is going to do... perhaps one of the Bolger girls turned out to be a truth-sifter.
Pippin and Diamond have Faramir, Ruby and Merigrin (born at the beginning of "At the End of His Rope"), Jonquil (Joy, born near the end of "Rope"), Borogrin and Beregrin (born during "Merlin"), and... there's another set of twins (born after "Truth", not sure if they are mentioned in the "Merrys" story or not as I haven't written that far) but I don't remember, they're pretty new on the timeline.
Merry and Estella have two, Saradoc (how original, but Merry dearly loved his father--he was born in "Jewels") and Miri (short for something elvish that means star-bright jewel, or something like that; she was born in "Rope"). I found out recently that it is common in fanfiction to write Estella as having difficulty having children. I didn't know, I just got that impression myself from the fact that JRRT mentions a son but no name... I have afflicted her with some sort of problem like rH incompatability, though I have not defined it yet in my own mind and have done little research into the matter.
Do I sound vague? The antibiotic I'm on says not to operate heavy machinery. Good thing the computer is fairly light...
Author Reply: p.s. Marigold (of "Marigold's Challenges" fame) told me some time after I wrote this review reply that Merry named his eldest son "Periadoc" in honor of Pippin. If I'm remembering right, she had it in a letter from Tolkien himself, in answer to a fan letter she had written. Review replies are not editable, but I've edited all the mentions of "Saradoc" as Merry's son to "Periadoc" or "Perry" in the earlier-published stories. All the mentions I could find, anyhow.
Hai
· 5 February 2004
· Chapter 2: A Matter of Importance
I kind of guessed you weren't going to let the wedding go off with out a hitch. Poor, Ferdi! I hope Mardi is ablet i figure out what is wrong with him! Something that will go away or can be fixed I hope! Looking forward to finding out what goes on next! No matter what you put readers through we can generally count on a happy ending from you (I hope you aren't about to change it any time soon ;) Thanks!
Author's reply
No wedding ever goes off without a hitch, at least none I've ever heard of.
I am a sucker for happy endings. A sad ending would depress me for days afterwards, I'm afraid. I only hope it doesn't make my stories too predictable. I would hate to be thought of as a writer of cliches or warmed-over plots.
Lyta Padfoot
· 5 February 2004
· Chapter 2: A Matter of Importance
My computer hates this story. It crashes every time I try to review. Aaarpgh! Well I like this story very much. It seems Ferdi does not share my family's opinion of 'good meds' being the kind that knock you out. It seems his problems are worse than it seemed at first look - three days of not eating anything solid... for a hobbit that is very, very serious. No wonder Nell got Pippin involved. I hope Ferdi's well in time for Farry and Goldi's wedding, it wouldn't due for the first to toast the happy couple to miss the party.
Author's reply
You poor thing! And yet you came back and tried again. I certainly appreciate it. You just don't know how much the feedback helps.
Ferdi shares my opinion... I hate "feeling" medicated.
Cannot answer your other points for fear of giving away plot twists...
FanstasyFan
· 5 February 2004
· Chapter 2: A Matter of Importance
Not much time today, but for one comment. It's times like these that makes me wish that Pip had a little Entdraught left. You've left this so up-in-the-air, that I don't know whether to hope Ferdi might get his sight back, or to hope that if he dies it will be peaceful. Poor Ferdi's been through so much in his life, both the bitter and the sweet!
Author's reply
Thanks for taking the time to comment. That Ent draught... it was such a convenient plot device, but so very convenient I had to make it near-impossible to get more when it ran out...
I do believe if Ferdi is taking sleeping draughts without protest, it wouldn't take much to get him to drink an Ent draught, even knowing the side effects.
A distraction is in the offing, however, and we will not get back to Ferdi for a little while. Let us leave him sleeping peacefully for the first time in days...
Author Reply: p.s. Ferdi's doing pretty well, considering his death was originally plotted in "Merlin". Dana helped me talk myself into saving him, though he was badly injured and bore the scars of the experience for the rest of his life. Still, "Truth" would not have been the same without Ferdi, and neither would "Solid Ground" or "Merrys".
I had this silly idea early on in "Merlin" that readers were finding me too predictable (especially after saving Regi with some of that convenient ent-draught) and I needed to let a main character die... but I'm thankful that Ferdi survived. Even though he's not "canon" he is one of my favourite characters.
Grey Wonderer
· 5 February 2004
· Chapter 2: A Matter of Importance
So sad for all of them. I wonder what is wrong with him? I am like the healer as I have no idea what this could be unless his sight is coming back and the light is troubling him. Hope there will be more soon.
Author's reply
Six chapters are written, so there are at least four more to put up before I run out and have to write more (don't worry, am writing a little every day).
Author Reply: p.s. Thanks for reviewing! Looking forward to finding out how Merry's family will learn the truth in "Downpour". Don't tell me... Pippin is about to go out, half-sick as he is... is he going to end up desperately ill? And how is Merry?
Grey Wonderer
· 5 February 2004
· Chapter 1: Making Preparations
Looks like you are in need of some of my rain at this point. LOL This is interesting but I have no idea where you are going at this point. Its like an adventure!
Author's reply
I imagine the rains will return "next week". This is not a story about a drought, strange as it may seem.
Am enjoying "Downpour" though have not had time to do any more than breeze through the latest chapters.
Hai
· 3 February 2004
· Chapter 1: Making Preparations
So the heat is getting bad again! Don't put them through another drought!! I hope the wedding is able to go on without a hitch! Looking forward to it all! Thank you!
Author's reply
Have you ever heard of a wedding going on without a hitch?
As I told Meldewen Ilce (forgive me if I misspelt it) the other day, I'm currently writing two wedding stories. One is a comedy, and the other isn't (though of course it ends well). Guess which one you're reading at the moment...?
The other story will begin to go up as soon as I have five chapters written.
FantasyFan
· 3 February 2004
· Chapter 1: Making Preparations
I'm so thrilled to see another story starting up. There's a real zing of anticipation for something new for these well-loved characters! Yesterday I was re-reading: got through Firstborn and half of Rope before my eyes gave out, looking for things about Pearl (didn't find much).
How much does this skip ahead from the end of 'Truth' - something like 8 years? We've gone past the courtship and right to the wedding! Will there be any flashbacks to fill in the intervening time?
Everything starts out sweetly, but it doesn't take long for a few worries to pop up. They should know by now not to discount ANYTHING that Ferdi says. If there's a tremor, I worry about the hobbits digging in the dry ground. I'm also worried about Berilac near the river. He must be getting up there in age, yes? And, I'm worried about Ferdi's increasing headaches. (I'm sounding a lot like Merry, here.) So many possibilities: a joyful premise but an ominous sounding summary...
I hope you're getting over your cold so you can keep up with your ambitious posting schedule. Your public is waiting!
Author's reply
You probably won't find much about Pearl. She pretty much stayed in the background until "A Small and Passing Thing", when the Muse brought her to tea one day to discuss a scene with Merry having to eat liver under her watchful eye, and she did so well in that scene that "Pearl of Great Price" resulted.
Whoa, that was a long sentence. Can just imagine what my editor would say about that!
"Solid" is set 8 years after Truth. There may be passing references to the courtship but no flashbacks are in the rough draft. There is an intervening (my brain keeps turning this word into "interesting" as I re-read this reply. I certainly hope it will be interesting!) story about Frodo's wedding the following Spring, and Faramir and Goldi's courtship will go through a rocky place, at least according to the outline. That story is not writing itself nicely so I put it back on the shelf to ripen.
"Solid" is actually written ahead. I wrote five chapters (some during "Truth" and some during "Merlin") before putting it on the shelf back when research for "Shire" was eating all my writing time, and then after the first draft of Shire was finished here at SoA, renewed research for "Pearl" stepped in. Thankfully that research is complete now and the last two (three? don't know yet how they'll break out) chapters are in revision prior to posting.
Some fun sites I've run across while researching for "Pearl":
http://www.collective-noun.com
http://www.yourdictionary.com/library/article011.html
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/nature/nw03/0127groupnames.htm
http://www.pomian.demon.co.uk/proper.htm
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/natbltn/400-499/nb449.htm
...and these are only a few... who know that so many people had an interest in this kind of thing?
Lyta Padfoot
· 3 February 2004
· Chapter 1: Making Preparations
So Farry and Goldi's wedding is just around the corner. I'm sure you'll make it an inventive experience. I hope Fredi's head pain is a sign he might have his sight back soon.
Author's reply
Have I told you before that your comments are incisive and insightful?
Thanks for reviewing!
There are five chapters written, so far, and I will be posting them as I get them typed in, as well as working on the ending of "Pearl" and more material for this story. Doctors' waiting rooms and music lessons offer wonderful opportunity for writing time...
The outline does not tell me how long this story is. It is difficult to determine the number of chapters. When chapters get to be over 2,000 words I'm often tempted to break them in half.